Senator Marco Rubio confirmed that during a call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a possible territorial exchange. Zelensky noted that this issue was not discussed at the White House and will be addressed directly with Putin.
Analysts expect Putin to deliberately delay such a meeting. Engaging with Zelensky would imply recognition of him as Ukraine’s legitimate president, which contradicts current Russian rhetoric. However, a potential meeting could be a key step toward conflict resolution.
Discussion participants highlight Russia’s reliance on an experienced bureaucratic team with a well-thought-out strategy, while Trump’s administration operates more on impulse, lacking specialists on Russia. This complicates the prospect of swift agreements.
Separately, the security guarantees for Ukraine and financing of the army after the war’s end remain pressing. France and other European states are in favor of maintaining a strong Ukrainian military for regional security and may continue financial support, as Ukraine remains a buffer between Russia and the EU.
Finance Minister Marchenko stated that the 2026 budget is being planned with ongoing military operations in mind and external funding needs are about $45 billion. Even in peacetime, army funding remains essential for both Ukraine and Europe.
