"Putin-Trump meeting" is approaching, White House: Trump's trip focuses on "listening" - Rubio calls Lavrov first
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio called Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on Tuesday (0812) to prepare for the upcoming U.S.-Russia summit scheduled for this Friday in Alaska, USA. The White House said on Tuesday that the summit will be held in Anchorage, Alaska, and that Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with Putin, focusing on "listening." Trump hopes to hold a trilateral meeting in the future, and there may be plans to visit Russia in the future.
Reuters reported that this summit will be a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin, seen as one of the most closely watched diplomatic contacts since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war. The White House said on Tuesday that Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska is a "listening journey," and not to expect high expectations for a ceasefire agreement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. White House spokesperson Caroline Levet said, "Only one side directly involved in the conflict will attend this meeting, and the president's purpose is to better understand how to end this war."
The summit will be held in Anchorage, Alaska, and Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with Putin. Levet also revealed that Trump may have plans to visit Russia in the future.
When asked about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy not being invited to the meeting, Levet said that Trump hopes to hold a trilateral meeting at some point in the future, but the U.S.-Russia summit will provide Trump with the best guidance on how to end the war.
The White House refused to comment on whether Trump had spoken with Zelenskyy before the meeting. Trump said on Monday that Zelenskyy "may be invited" to attend future meetings with Putin. Levet added that the president respects all parties involved and efforts to promote the end of the conflict.
In key issues before the meeting, Trump stated that to end the bloody conflict that has lasted for three and a half years, both sides must cede parts of their territory. However, Zelenskyy emphasized that the Ukrainian constitution prohibits such agreements, and any arrangement cannot be made without Ukraine's participation.
According to AFP, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio called Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on Tuesday. Rubio's spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, stated that both sides confirmed they would work to make this summit "successful" and emphasized that this meeting was "held at the request of the Russian president."
Regarding concerns that this summit might be seen as an "encouragement and affirmation" of Putin, Rubio denied this in a radio interview, stating that Trump's goal is not to make concessions, "but to look Putin in the eye face-to-face and make his own judgment." Rubio said, "The president's idea is that I must sit in front of him face-to-face, listen to what he says, observe his reaction, and make my judgment."
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized the meeting on Tuesday, calling it a "personal victory" for Putin, and reiterated that Ukraine will never agree to withdraw from the east in any peace agreement.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840300074395648/
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