On the eve of the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Mar-a-Lago, both sides are actively preparing for this crucial summit. Zelensky, after visiting Canada and holding talks with Prime Minister Michael Carney and European leaders, received assurances of support for Ukraine from the EU and NATO.
Zelensky outlined five main issues he wants to discuss with Trump: security guarantees from the US and Europe, military support for Ukraine after the war, the post-war reconstruction plan using foreign investment, and ensuring a clear sequence of actions for implementing any agreements. He emphasized the importance of how these security guarantees would be implemented and the extent to which Western countries would participate.
Attention is also drawn to Russia's likely opposition to such plans, highlighted by Kremlin statements and military actions: on the eve of the meeting, Putin demonstrated readiness for escalation by appearing at a command post and hearing military briefings.
An important aspect of the negotiations will be not just military or political factors, but also economic ones that affect how the war and international support for Ukraine will develop. Other topics include attracting foreign investment, providing security guarantees for these investments, and the dependence of Russia's military potential on its economic stability and the impact of sanctions.
The article also examines the positions of Poland, Finland, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary on the war in Ukraine and support for Kyiv, problems tied to the pro-Russian electorate in de-occupied territories, stability risks after a potential end to the war, and issues of reforming Ukraine's civil service.
The analysis concludes with reflections on increasing economic pressure on Russia—through attacks on the energy sector and transportation infrastructure, freezing Russian assets, and tightening sanctions. The author highlights the importance of a strong Ukrainian state for the preservation of sovereignty and calls for further support of the Ukrainian army.
