>>>512871012 [continued]
United States
> Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance said the U.S. is working on arranging a meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
> Vance noted that Putin had previously refused to negotiate with Zelensky, but Trump changed that stance.
> Donald Trump stated his next meeting will be with Zelensky or with both Zelensky and Putin, aiming to return some territory to Ukraine.
> Trump criticized the idea of constitutional changes in Ukraine for territorial exchanges, calling them unacceptable.
> Trump claimed Russian forces could have reached Kyiv in four hours in 2022 but were delayed by a general’s decision to avoid highways.
> Trump confirmed he will meet Putin in Russia to discuss a peace deal and will try to secure “valuable” territory for Ukraine.
> U.S. officials assured European leaders they would be consulted before the Alaska summit on Ukraine.
——————————
Europe & World
> EU transferred a third tranche of €1.6 billion from profits of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.
> Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed both fear and hope about the US-Russia summit, stressing the need for coordination with Europe.
> NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that a possible peace deal could de facto recognize Russia’s control over some occupied Ukrainian territories, heightening concerns in Kyiv and EU capitals ahead of the planned Alaska talks.
> European leaders will hold a coordination call with Trump before his meeting with Putin in Alaska.
> Bloomberg reported European countries plan their own talks with Trump before the Alaska summit to influence the outcome.
> Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev allocated $2 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine for energy system repairs.
> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Zelensky, expressing support and being briefed on Russian strikes.
