Key Points

Zelensky pushes for harsher sanctions if proposed US-mediated talks with Russia collapse. Trump describes his Alaska summit with Putin as highly productive while acknowledging Ukraine's role in any peace deal. The Ukrainian president emphasizes the need for durable peace, contrasting it with past failed agreements. Diplomatic tensions rise as all parties navigate complex negotiations to end the conflict.

Key Points: Zelensky Demands Stronger Russia Sanctions If No Trump-Putin Talks

  • Zelensky warns of tougher sanctions without US-Russia-Ukraine talks
  • Trump calls Alaska Putin meeting "10 on 10" success
  • Kremlin open to trilateral format but cites preconditions
  • Zelensky stresses need for lasting peace, not temporary ceasefire
3 min read

Zelenksyy urges stronger sanctions on Russia if no trilateral peace talks happen

Ukraine's leader warns of escalating sanctions if trilateral peace talks with Trump and Putin fail, amid high-stakes diplomatic maneuvers.

"Sanctions are an effective tool... should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting - Volodymyr Zelensky"

Kyiv, August 18

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged stronger sanctions against Russia if no trilateral meeting is held between him, US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The statement followed a call between Zelensky and Trump on Saturday, one day after the US leader met with Putin in Alaska without Ukraine's participation.

Recounting his conversation with Trump in a post on X, Zelensky wrote that "sanctions are an effective tool." He added they "should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting" or if Russia tries to evade what he called "an honest end to the war."

Meanwhile, Trump described his talks with Putin, which focused on ending the Ukraine conflict, as "warm" and said the two leaders had "agreed on a lot". He added that the sides were "pretty close to the end" of the conflict, but that "Ukraine has to agree" to any peace deal.

The US President also confirmed his willingness to attend a possible three-way summit, stating, "They both want me there, and I'll be there."

The Kremlin has not confirmed the format, though Putin said a trilateral meeting is possible but stressed that certain "conditions for meeting must be created," RT reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who on Monday arrived in the US capital ahead of his high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump, shared a "strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably", stressing that peace with Russia must be "lasting".

"I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East--part of Donbas--and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack," Zelenskyy posted on X.

The Trump-Zelenskyy talks follow Trump's three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which he rated a "10 on 10," Fox News reported.

Trump later wrote on Truth Social, "A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
This war has already caused enough suffering. Both sides need to come to the table - but Ukraine shouldn't be forced to give up its sovereignty. Hope PM Modi can play a mediating role 🤞
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Aditya G
Interesting how Trump calls it a "warm" meeting while people are dying in Ukraine. The West always plays double games. India must be careful not to get caught in this geopolitical chessboard.
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Sarah B
As someone living in India, I'm more concerned about how this affects our oil prices and trade relations. The government should prioritize stabilizing our economy over taking sides in foreign conflicts.
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Karthik V
Zelensky is right to demand strong sanctions. After what happened in Crimea, how can anyone trust Putin? But India needs to balance relations with both Russia and West carefully.
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Nisha Z
The whole situation is so complex 😣 On one hand we can't support invasion, on other hand we can't abandon our long-time ally Russia. Maybe India can propose a BRICS-led peace initiative?

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