Jacqui Heinrich
@JacquiHeinrich
NEWS: I just got off the phone with a source involved in the pre-meeting with Zelenskyy at the Ukrainian embassy this morning:
MY NOTES:
1) I'm told there's no expectation that today wraps up with a date on the calendar for a trilateral summit -- but today would be a success if Zelenskyy had a realistic discussion about territorial concessions
2) Nobody expects Zelenskyy to take Putin's first version of the map back to his country, but he needs to talk about what he can let go and what is critical to keep.
2a. -- Getting clarity on security guarantees and what that looks like will make it easier for Zelenskyy to sell that back home
2b. -- Asked about what that means for the timeline, I'm told the US feels there is political energy behind this, a light at the end of the tunnel, and wants to get it done now -- but knows it won't be instant. More like "weeks not months" -- and Ukraine understands this
3) US and Europeans have "gently" made suggestions on territory, but they are also aware that Zelenskyy has to take this back and massage it through his own system -- "gotta come back with a counteroffer"
3a. -- I asked how Zelenskyy is approaching that given Ukraine's constitutional requirement of a national referendum for territorial changes -- I'm told the the general attitude is "that's a you problem" -- as in, up to Zelenskyy to figure out and handle
3b. -- On territory with minerals being under Russian control, basically if America has a stake in land, it is a security in an of itself - its in their interest to make that work
4) Europeans believe the security guarantees are a very very big deal, and want to protect and preserve it -- which is part of why they are all eager to be here today.
4a. -- They also want to help Zelenskyy manage this high-wire act because "the risk factor of Zelenskyy putting his foot in his mouth is significant"
5) The discussion on security guarantees won't produce full security plan today- but they want clear next steps to work on, "a commitment in principle from the coalition of the willing, the US, hammering out alongside Ukrainians"
5a. -- Some awareness that the US should legislate this, make sure it lasts into future administrations
5b. -- Also the WH sees Putin's acceptance of security guarantees as important -- their attitude is "Now we have to put more meat on the bone"
6) Today it is important to demonstrate unity between Europeans, US, and Ukraine -- that would define success
7) Neither Ukrainians or Americans want today to fail
Zelenskyy, of course, insisted that he would never, ever concede any territory to Russia, because his country's constitution -- which he freely ignores when it suits him -- forbids it.
Zelensky said Sunday that Kyiv will not surrender territory not currently occupied by Russian forces as part of any peace deal, adding that Ukraine's constitution forbids it.
"We need real negotiations," Zelensky said to reporters in Brussels at a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, per Just the News.
In addition to meeting with Trump, other European leaders are expected to be at the White House as well, reports said.
Zelensky stated that Russia has been unable to seize part of eastern Ukraine it has sought to control since 2014. He emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has been unable to take it for 12 years, and the constitution of Ukraine makes it impossible ... to give up territory or trade land," according to Politico.
But that might just be bluster and positioning. You never want to concede anything before you start actually negotiating.
A few items:
Trump notes that Zelenskyy canceled elections during the war which gives Trump an idea for "three and a half years from now."
Obviously the vaunted Ukrainian Constitution is pretty flexible in its terms, huh?
Trump says the "whole world is tired" of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Melania wrote a personal letter to Putin imploring him to consider the lives of all the children he's either killing or making orphaned.
Zelenskyy actually wore a suit for once, and was complimented by a reporter and Trump.
It's "Joe Biden's war."
On Sunday, the ill-prepared DEI hire Margaret Brennan insisted that European leaders were joining the summit to... protect Zelenskyy from "bullying." It's a Democrat Cult Article of Faith that Trump "bullied" Zelenskyy at their last meeting.
Marco Rubio said no, they're coming to join in the negotiations.
Note that European countries will have to promise to defend Ukraine with actual troops to secure a peace agreement. I don't think they'll agree to that, or if they do, they'll make sure their are massive escape clauses allowing them to disown the agreement at will.
Martha Raddatz is incensed at the idea that Trump, in seeking to broker a peace deal, would expect any concessions from Zelenskyy, and demands to know what concessions he's demanded of Putin.
She also insisted that Trump was wrong to shake Putin's hand, even though he was meeting with Putin on a diplomatic mission and diplomatic niceties are very much required.
She is very clearly reviving the "Trump is a Putin agent" hoax which she apparently still thinks is factually true. She is basically telling Rubio that Trump cannot broker a peace when he's an agent of one of the parties involved.
She doesn't say that, but it's obvious. There cannot be any other reason for her being unhinged over the idea that warring parties will have to make mutual concessions to reach a peace agreement. Or that Trump should shake the hand of a man he's invited to America for a diplomatic negotiation.