If Putin stays away, that could sway the mercurial Trump to back Ukraine more strongly, said Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Center for Political Research.
“If Putin refuses, it means he does not want negotiations, it means he may look like a loser in Trump’s eyes. Although how Trump perceives all this is still a big question,” Fesenko said.
Trump made that warning in his Truth Social post, saying there needs to be an effort to reach a deal. “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly,” Trump wrote.
Both sides are briefing furiously against each other.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, on Monday accused Ukraine of breaking past ceasefires and warned against a “simplistic approach” to talks.
Moscow also says that Kyiv has to first cancel its 2022 ban on negotiations with the Russian leadership.
