On August 19, the Center for Public Analytics "Vezha", led by Valeriy Klochok alongside expert Maksym Netsvitaylo, summarized the main outcomes of recent international negotiations on Ukraine.
The focus was on the meeting of European leaders, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to expert Netsvitaylo, despite initial skepticism, the results exceeded expectations, with Zelensky acting confidently and professionally, showcasing Ukraine’s interests on the global stage.
The discussion covered prospects for the next phase of talks—namely, the organization of a summit between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The United States will coordinate the preparation of security guarantees for Ukraine, with Europe as the main guarantor. Senator Marco Rubio has been appointed to head the group overseeing these guarantees. Russia has officially stated Putin’s readiness to meet, as confirmed by the US Secretary of State.
Experts noted that Russia is likely to try prolonging or disrupting negotiations with provocations. Zelensky’s composure in future talks will be critical to prevent potential breakdowns orchestrated by the Russian side.
Territorial questions are expected to feature prominently in the dialogue. The US and Europe may require Ukraine and Russia to make difficult compromises, particularly regarding Donbas. Another crucial issue is the exchange of prisoners, which Donald Trump emphasized as a key negotiation point.
Overall, experts concluded that global sentiment currently leans towards Ukraine, but complex and lengthy diplomatic work lies ahead. The process's success depends on Russia’s willingness to compromise and the strength of US and EU backing.
It was highlighted that there are no concrete agreements on territorial matters yet, and any final decisions can be expected only after a direct Zelensky-Putin meeting.
