Negotiations for a summit between Zelensky and Putin appear to be faltering, with suggested locations ranging from Budapest to Istanbul, though significant diplomatic hurdles remain.
**Potential Venues for a Zelensky-Putin Summit: Analysis of Options and Challenges**

**Potential Venues for a Zelensky-Putin Summit: Analysis of Options and Challenges**
Discussing the stalling prospects for a summit between Ukraine's President Zelensky and Russia's President Putin, various possible locations emerge amidst political complexities.
Ambitious discussions about a possible summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are facing delays, despite optimism expressed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Initial suggestions for host cities have included Geneva, Vienna, Budapest, and Istanbul, as both leaders have not met in person since 2019, prior to the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump indicated that arrangements for the summit had begun, claiming that Putin might agree to the meeting during a recent phone conversation. However, the Kremlin’s response was less definitive, with aide Yuri Ushakov suggesting that discussions might involve changing the level of representation, potentially opting for ministers instead.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz posited that the summit could occur within two weeks but underscored the uncertainty regarding Putin's willingness to attend. He urged persuasion for the Russian president, emphasizing the "rough" circumstances Russia might face if peace negotiations falter.
Despite posturing that seems to suggest openness to talks, Moscow's preconditions for the meeting could hinder progress. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that any conversations would require prior resolution of key issues—language that has historically been used to resist Ukrainian proposals.
Although Trump envoy Steve Witkoff reported that Russia accepted security guarantees for Ukraine, the context appears critical. The supposed guarantees reflect proposals initially rejected by Kyiv, posing risks of limiting Ukraine's defense against potential Russian aggression.
As the situation stands, both Moscow and Kyiv seem entrenched in their positions, blaming one another for the failure to reach a peace agreement. Zelensky has stipulated that any negotiations with Putin must await consensus among allies regarding security guarantees, which would likely exclude Russia—an unaccepted scenario for Moscow.
Amidst speculation about where a possible summit could be held, Budapest has surfaced as a favored option, supported by Hungarian officials. However, Zelensky cautioned against this choice given Hungary's complex relationship with Russia and its past reluctance to support Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also voiced concerns about hosting talks in Budapest, referencing a historic agreement that left Ukraine vulnerable post-Soviet Union. On the other hand, French President Emmanuel Macron recommended Switzerland, known for its neutrality, while Turkey emerged as another candidate due to earlier diplomatic interactions.
Various locations have surfaced, including the Vatican and Saudi Arabia, both having shown interest in mediating discussions. The Vatican has a longstanding reputation as a neutral dialogue venue, while Saudi Arabia has previously facilitated exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.
In the broader context, the war continues to escalate, with Ukraine recently targeting an oil refinery in Russia. Conversely, Russia resumed heavy strikes on Ukraine, illustrating the significant gap in willingness to engage in fruitful negotiations. As Zelensky emphasized, genuine commitment to dialogue from Moscow is crucial for any significant progress towards peace.