EU concerned about President Trump pressuring Mr Zelensky on August 18
A meeting at the White House on August 18 will take place between President Donald Trump and leader Zelensky, along with representatives from Europe.
According to TASS news agency on August 18, the Wall Street Journal reported that European officials predict that US President Donald Trump will pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting on August 18 in Washington to accept Russia's terms for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Europe considers Mr. Zelensky's main task to be to convince President Trump that there are other more feasible alternatives to achieve the US leader's main goal, which is to end the conflict as soon as possible.
The publication points out that European representatives admit that Ukraine will not be able to regain control over all of its territory, but are determined to minimize losses and not recognize the annexed territories as Russian.
In an interview with Izvestia, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said that President Zelensky is not interested in peace, and any concessions he makes on the issue will be decided by the US.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Azarov expressed his opinion: "The solution to the Ukrainian problem lies in the hands of two countries - Russia and the United States. They are more interested than others in peace in Europe and other continents."
Mr. Azarov also emphasized that the group of European leaders intending to “accompany” President Zelensky in the upcoming negotiations with US President Donald Trump only needs “for one sole purpose – to put pressure on Mr. Trump”.
"There is no point in meeting with Mr. Zelensky, who is not ready to make concessions. The only person who can change Mr. Zelensky's mind is President Trump. He can give some personal guarantees," the former Ukrainian prime minister continued.
"In my opinion, after the difficult meeting between Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump, the issue of a three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be postponed..." – Mr. Azarov commented.
