Kremlin Dismisses Zelensky Talks as Trump Warns Putin: “No Deal Likely”
Andrew Juma, DigitalWorldwideNews.com, Washington, D.C.
August 20, 2025
Kremlin downplays Zelensky talks as Trump warns Putin may resist peace deal, stalling Ukraine efforts.
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The Kremlin dismissed prospects of direct talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Putin may say “no deal likely” to ending the Ukraine war. The remarks follow Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin and White House talks with Zelenskyy, amid stalled ceasefire efforts.
What Fueled Kremlin’s Dismissal of Zelensky Talks on August 20, 2025?
On August 20, 2025, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov downplayed a potential Putin-Zelenskyy summit, insisting talks must start at “expert levels” first, following Trump’s Monday White House meeting with Zelenskyy and seven European leaders. The dismissal came after Trump’s August 15 Alaska summit with Putin failed to secure a ceasefire, despite earlier U.S. threats of sanctions if Russia didn’t comply by August 8. The ongoing war, with 60,000+ deaths, continues to strain diplomacy.
How Is Donald Trump Pressing Putin on Ukraine Peace Negotiations?
President Trump, speaking in Washington, D.C., warned that Putin faces a “rough situation” if he rejects a deal, suggesting sanctions on Russia’s oil and banks. In a Tuesday interview with radio host Mark Levin, Trump said he’d join a trilateral summit if needed, but prefers Putin and Zelenskyy meet alone first. He acknowledged the war’s complexity, citing “tremendous bad blood” between the leaders, and shifted focus from a ceasefire to a permanent peace deal.
Who Are the Key Figures Shaping Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rejecting Russia’s demand for Donetsk and Luhansk, insisted, “We won’t surrender land.” Russia’s Dmitry Polyanskiy, UN deputy representative, called talks premature without “serious preparation.” NATO’s Mark Rutte praised Trump’s efforts but urged more aid for Kyiv. European leaders like Germany’s Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron back Zelenskyy. Public sentiment splits between hope for peace and distrust in Russia’s intentions.
What Global Reactions Surfaced to Kremlin’s Stance on Zelensky Talks?
France’s Macron urged a ceasefire, calling talks a “critical step.” Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani stressed humanitarian aid for Ukraine’s 1.1 million facing famine. China’s Wang Yi warned of economic fallout from sanctions, favoring dialogue. The UN’s António Guterres called for compliance with international law. Public views reflect frustration with stalled talks, with some doubting Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
How Do Past U.S.-Russia Summits Shape Current Ukraine Diplomacy?
The 2018 Helsinki Trump-Putin summit, criticized for lacking results, and the 2022 Istanbul talks, collapsing over Russia’s territorial demands, fuel skepticism about quick resolutions. U.S. cultural confidence in deal-making, rooted in post-Cold War dominance, contrasts with Russia’s view of negotiations as a tool to maintain battlefield gains, especially after capturing 20% of Ukraine since 2022. These dynamics deepen mistrust in talks.
What Obstacles Hinder Progress in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks?
Putin’s demand for Kyiv’s leadership change and control of annexed regions, rejected by Zelenskyy as “illegitimate,” stalls diplomacy. Russia’s recent Pokrovsk advances strengthen its leverage, while Europe’s energy reliance on Russia complicates sanctions. Trump’s vague security guarantees, offering U.S. air support but no troops, leave Kyiv wary. The failure of Qatar’s 2024 mediation efforts underscores the challenge of aligning U.S., European, and Ukrainian priorities.
Stay updated with DigitalWorldwideNews.com for the latest on Ukraine peace efforts.
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