President Trump has thrown planned weekend peace talks into question by insisting on preconditions before American participation, creating confusion among allies working toward a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict. The US leader warned European partners Wednesday night that they risked “wasting time” with additional meetings and indicated Washington would only attend after receiving satisfactory responses to concerns raised during earlier discussions. Trump’s conditional approach came hours before a critical coalition video conference scheduled for Thursday, complicating efforts to present a unified western position.
European leaders expressed interest in convening fresh peace discussions over the weekend, but Trump’s hesitation has created uncertainty about the fundamental framework for negotiations. A British summary of Wednesday’s call among allied leaders emphasized recognition of a “critical moment” and commitment to intensive continued work, though it remained unclear whether this reflected genuine consensus or diplomatic language masking deeper disagreements. Trump acknowledged having “little disputes about people” during the discussion, suggesting personality conflicts or disagreements over negotiating representatives may be complicating the diplomatic process.
Thursday’s coalition video conference will proceed despite uncertainty about subsequent steps, with President Zelenskyy joining approximately 30 national leaders to discuss Ukraine’s updated peace proposal. The Ukrainian president submitted a revised plan to US negotiators Wednesday, building toward what he described as potentially significant developments this week. Zelenskyy emphasized that peace has no alternative while stressing the importance of determining how to compel Russia to stop attacks and prevent future invasions, framing concerns that resonate with European partners more than with the Trump administration.
Trump’s public statements have consistently questioned Ukrainian positions while expressing confidence in Russian receptiveness to his proposals. The American president claimed Russia is “fine with” his draft plan while suggesting Zelenskyy may not have even read it, creating diplomatic dynamics that favor Moscow’s interests. Russian officials have reinforced this impression through enthusiastic praise for Trump’s approach, with senior figures describing the American president as uniquely understanding of Russia’s perspective on the conflict’s origins.
Military developments continue regardless of diplomatic uncertainty, with Russian forces maintaining offensive operations against strategic eastern cities. Moscow’s assault on Pokrovsk intensified Wednesday, employing various vehicle types including armoured cars and motorcycles to penetrate Ukrainian defenses. Russian military leadership reported control of 30% of nearby Myrnohrad, with orders from President Putin to complete the town’s capture. Ukrainian sources confirmed brutal street fighting continues in these areas, describing conditions as catastrophic and highlighting the urgent need for either increased military support or a viable peace agreement that protects Ukraine’s fundamental interests.