10:54 19-08-2025

EU Leaders May Oppose Possible Zelensky–Putin Peace Talks

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Hungarian analyst suggests EU leaders may try to block Trump-backed peace talks between Zelensky and Putin, as AFP reports Putin ready for direct negotiations.

Leaders of European states could attempt to prevent a potential meeting between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Hungarian analyst Zoltan Koskovich from the Center for Fundamental Rights.

Writing on social media, Koskovich argued that a meeting arranged by U. S. President Donald Trump would represent the best chance for peace since the start of the conflict. He suggested, however, that European leaders were likely to try to derail such talks.

On August 18, the White House hosted negotiations attended by Trump, Zelensky, several European heads of state, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The open portion of the meeting lasted less than half an hour. Afterward, the Kremlin confirmed that Trump spoke by phone with Putin to brief him on the main outcomes.

According to AFP, during that call Putin signaled his readiness for direct talks with Zelensky.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph noted that Ukraine’s only real chance to avoid military collapse may be to accept Trump’s proposed terms. The newspaper warned that if Zelensky refuses the U.S. plan to end the conflict, Kyiv risks losing Washington’s support and being left to face Russia alone.