Amid ongoing negotiations at the G7 summit, a significant shift in the US administration's stance toward the Russian leadership has emerged. According to available data, US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Vladimir Putin currently holds a weaker position regarding the war in Ukraine than before.
This information was confirmed by DW journalist Michaela Kefer, as reported by RBC-Ukraine. According to her, Trump listened to his partners' arguments and agreed with the assessment of the current situation: pressure on Moscow has intensified, and the Kremlin's room for maneuver has diminished.
Mercer and Zelensky Meeting: A Window of Opportunity
Alongside the general discussions at the summit, an important bilateral meeting has been scheduled. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold face-to-face talks immediately following the general session attended by Donald Trump.
Merz previously stated that there is a "window of opportunity" for a breakthrough in resolving the conflict. Berlin believes this moment requires maximum utilization. However, despite the active agenda, questions regarding specific military supplies remained unanswered. As Kefer noted, leaders ignored journalists' inquiries about additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.
Focus on Ending the War
Following the resolution of the Iranian crisis, Washington's priority has become focusing efforts on halting hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has previously emphasized that approximately 25,000 people die monthly in the conflict, making the question of ending the war not only a political but also a humanitarian imperative.
In preparation for negotiations, Zelensky and Trump discussed the possibility of organizing a meeting with Putin on US soil. The format of such a meeting should be structured so that the Russian leader finds it more difficult to refuse dialogue. Zelensky emphasized that if Moscow refuses to negotiate, international pressure on Russia must be intensified.
It is worth noting that Kyiv had previously conveyed a proposal for a leaders' meeting during the G7 summit, involving the US President, to Russia through intermediaries, diplomatic channels, and intelligence structures. This demonstrates the seriousness of Ukraine's intentions and its readiness for complex but necessary negotiations.