Zelensky Signals Openness to Join Trump-Putin Summit, Heightening Diplomatic Tensions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday he's ready to join a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin if he gets an invitation. This comes as Trump pushes for a peace deal to end the war that's been raging for nearly three years.

Trump and Putin announced they plan to meet in Budapest, possibly within weeks. The timing shows Trump's serious about his campaign promise to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine quickly.

Zelensky told journalists he's open to different formats. "If I'm invited to Budapest, if it's an invitation for the three of us to meet together, or shuttle diplomacy where President Trump meets with Putin and President Trump meets with me, then in one format or another, we'll agree," he said.

This marks a significant moment in the conflict. Zelensky has consistently demanded direct involvement in any talks about Ukraine's future. His willingness to participate suggests he sees Trump's mediation efforts as potentially serious, not just political theater.

The Budapest location is notable too. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained ties with both Putin and Trump while being one of the few EU leaders skeptical of unlimited support for Ukraine. This makes Budapest a neutral ground where all parties might feel comfortable meeting.

But here's the challenge: Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on basic terms. Russia wants Ukraine to give up territory it's occupied and abandon NATO membership hopes. Ukraine insists on getting all its land back and keeping its sovereignty intact.

For investors and markets, any real progress toward peace talks could shake up everything from energy prices to defense stocks. European gas prices have stayed volatile throughout the war, and a genuine peace process could bring some stability back to global commodity markets.

The war has also reshaped global trade routes and supply chains. Companies have spent billions moving operations away from both Russia and Ukraine. A credible peace process might slow that trend, though rebuilding trust will take years even if fighting stops.

Trump's approach differs sharply from Biden's strategy of supporting Ukraine militarily while letting them set the terms for any negotiations. Trump has suggested he could end the war quickly, though he hasn't spelled out exactly how.