Medvedev proposes cause behind Zelensky wanting three-way Trump-Putin meeting
(MENAFN) Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has claimed that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is pushing for a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strategy to boost his legitimacy.
Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, made the remark on Telegram Friday, suggesting that Zelensky, whose presidential term has officially expired, is using martial law to avoid new elections and cling to power. According to Medvedev, joining Trump and Putin at the negotiating table would help Zelensky appear more credible both internationally and at home.
He further argued that such a meeting could allow Zelensky to justify delaying elections and to reassure Ukrainian elites that a leadership change would be too risky during the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky said earlier in the week that he is open to several meeting formats, including a trilateral summit or separate bilateral talks with Trump and Putin. He noted that Türkiye appears to be the most viable location for such talks.
Trump has expressed willingness to participate in a three-way meeting “if necessary.” Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan voiced support for a potential summit in Istanbul, possibly led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that President Putin is open to direct talks with Zelensky, but only after tangible progress is made through formal negotiations between the delegations.
The last direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials took place in Istanbul on May 16. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has proposed the next round be held on June 2, again in Istanbul.
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