Putin's Fear of Zelensky: Summit with Dismissed Comic Exposes Tyrant's Shortcomings
Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has suggested that a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin could be on the horizon, but preparations would need to be gradual, starting with expert-level discussions.
The first encounter between the two leaders took place at a summit in France in 2019, where they did not shake hands. A second meeting would signify them as Presidents of legitimate, sovereign nations, but it could also present challenges due to ongoing disputes about the proposed location.
Suggestions for the summit to be held in Budapest were met with criticism from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Switzerland, Qatar, and Austria have also been proposed as potential venues, but Putin may be wary of a European location due to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest.
Vladimir Putin and Volodymir Zelensky have only met in person once before. Zelensky, a freshly elected President with no political experience, gained international fame with his role in the Ukrainian show Servant of the People. His Jewish identity is a point of contention for Putin, as it contradicts the Russian leader's claim that Ukraine is run by Nazis.
Meanwhile, Putin may want to shift the blame to Zelensky if talks fail to avoid Trump's wrath. Moscow has shown little indication of making major concessions, with the handover of vast swathes of Ukrainian territory to Moscow still Putin's core condition for peace.
Lavrov also added that not involving Russia in discussions around Ukraine's security guarantees is a "road to nowhere." When the Russian despot ordered tanks to assault Kyiv in February 2022, his warped justification was based on claims that Ukraine was a fake country run by Nazis.
Donald Trump's renewed drive to bring the war to a close could bring a second meeting between Zelensky and Putin to reality. However, the diplomat who coordinated preparations for the planned meeting, Naftali Bennett, has warned that the path to peace is fraught with complexity.
Zelensky has said he is "ready" for a meeting with Putin, but the very act of meeting with Zelensky could undermine Putin and the entire rationale for his war in the eyes of Russia. The diplomatic dance continues as both leaders navigate the delicate path towards potential peace negotiations.
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