Rapport between Putin and Zelensky: Is a prompt gathering elusive?

In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, several significant events have unfolded over the past few weeks.

Russian mobilization numbers are reportedly decreasing, a potential sign of waning support for the military campaign in eastern Ukraine. However, Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin leader, is said to be seeing his troops advancing in the region, albeit at a high cost in casualties.

Ukraine has been actively countering Russian forces, with increased drone strikes targeting Russian refineries, energy facilities, and railway lines in the rear. This tactic has been effective in hindering Moscow's supply lines and potentially slowing down their advance.

The possibility of a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been a topic of discussion. The two leaders have met before, in 2019 in Paris, but the encounter did not result in any concessions from Putin. Recently, Moscow postponed a meeting with Zelensky for an extended period, and a three-way meeting between Putin, Zelensky, and Trump may take place in Budapest, although this is not yet confirmed. However, Budapest is unlikely to be a neutral location due to Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocking Ukraine's approximation to the EU.

Other potential venues for the next summit between Putin and Zelensky include Switzerland (Geneva) and Austria (Vienna), with Geneva and Budapest being the leading options and Vienna also under consideration. Moscow, however, has been excluded as a venue.

The rhetoric between the two leaders has been heated, with Zelensky accusing Putin of terrorism and once calling him a "complete idiot." Meanwhile, Russian propaganda portrays Zelensky in a negative light, labelling him a "toxic figure," a drug addict, and a puppet of the West.

It's worth noting that Zelensky, a successful comedian and TV producer before entering politics in 2019, has faced questions about the legitimacy of his presidency, as his term is due to end in 2024, and Ukrainian laws prohibit elections during a war.

Delegations at lower levels are expected to negotiate an agreement before the heads of state step in and sign the pre-negotiated deal. Little progress has been made in the bilateral negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow that have been ongoing since May.

The conflict in eastern Ukraine, which Russia has fueled since 2014, remains unresolved. The Normandy Quartet, which includes France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, was established to resolve the conflict, but has not been successful so far.

In the meantime, Ukraine is keeping the Russian fleet at bay in the Black Sea, a testament to their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that all contacts involving the heads of state must be prepared with utmost care.

As the situation continues to evolve, both sides remain hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and is ready to support any efforts towards a lasting peace.