Zelenskyy Seeks Another trump Meeting Amidst Escalating Russian Offensive
KYIV,Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning another meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump as Russia intensifies its attacks across eastern ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region. The move comes as Kyiv seeks continued international support and explores all potential avenues for bolstering its defense against the ongoing invasion.
Zelenskyy’s pursuit of a meeting with Trump, whose past reluctance to fully support Ukraine has been a point of contention, underscores the urgency of the situation on the ground. Russia has significantly increased the intensity of its attacks, focusing on capturing the entirety of the Donbas region - comprised of donetsk and luhansk – and maintaining its land bridge to Crimea. Three rounds of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul earlier this year yielded only prisoner exchanges, with Moscow maintaining hardline demands, including full Ukrainian cession of Donbas, a condition Kyiv has rejected.
The escalating conflict follows a pattern of Russian offensives concentrated in the east. Recent reports indicate heavy fighting around the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Kyiv continues to request the deployment of European troops as a peacekeeping force, a proposal Moscow deems unacceptable.
This latest effort to engage trump coincides with growing concerns about the potential for a protracted conflict and dwindling Western aid packages. Zelenskyy previously met with Trump in December 2023, a visit that drew criticism from some quarters given Trump’s past statements questioning aid to Ukraine. The Ukrainian President has consistently emphasized the need for sustained and increased military and financial assistance from the United States and its allies to effectively counter the Russian aggression.
The Moscow Times, an independent news outlet, has been designated as an “undesirable” organization by the Russian government and labeled a “foreign agent,” facing increasing pressure and risks to its staff.The outlet continues to report on the conflict and its impact, relying on reader support to maintain its operations.
