Putin Poised for Meeting with Zelensky, Provided Conditions are Met
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Thursday, 21 August that President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Lavrov emphasized a key condition: the legality of the Ukrainian signature on forthcoming agreements must be clarified before any talks can take place. He referenced the fact that Zelensky’s term ended on 20 May of last year, noting that elections were postponed due to Ukraine’s wartime emergency status, which legally forbids holding elections.
U.S. Oversight of the Putin‑Zelensky Meeting
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt informed that the United States has approved a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. She added that, if necessary, a joint summit with former President Donald Trump could also be arranged. To expedite this objective, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Mark Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been engaged. Leavitt assured that the U.S. government and the Trump administration are cooperating with both Russia and Ukraine to make this bilateral collaboration a reality.
Putin Names Deputy to Zelensky
In a subsequent development, President Putin announced that he has appointed a deputy to President Zelensky. The decision, reportedly made in anticipation of high‑level negotiations, was not elaborated upon in detail.
Source: Gazeta,
