Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv expects a “strong reaction” from Washington if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses a bilateral meeting. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking to broker peace, admitted Putin may not agree to talks. “We are ready, but if Russia is not, the U.S. must react strongly,” Zelenskyy told reporters. Despite recent diplomacy, the path to peace remains uncertain as Washington and allies discuss possible security guarantees for Kyiv. Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory and continues slow advances in the east. Zelenskyy stressed it is unclear what concessions Moscow might make, noting Trump has suggested both sides may need to cede land. Asked about Budapest as a venue for talks, he called it “challenging,” though Hungary, Russia’s closest EU ally, has twice offered to host negotiations.
