Putin and Zelensky: The Road to Peace is Full of Potholes

Key Demands:

• Ukraine must not join NATO
• Discussions on territorial changes
• Zelensky must cancel laws banning the Russian language

Lavrov's Comments:

• Made on NBC's "Meet the Press"
• No planned meeting at the moment
• List of demands not yet finalized

Background:

• Russia has repeatedly put up roadblocks to peace talks
• U.S. President Donald Trump has been working to end the war
• War has been ongoing for over two and a half years

Trump's Efforts:

• Met with Putin in Alaska
• Met with European leaders and Zelensky at the White House
• Russia claims Trump did not properly present their demands
• Zelensky rejected Russia's demands

NATO Membership:

• Ukraine seeks NATO membership for protection
• Russia opposes this
• Trump states NATO membership is not an option
• Steve Witkoff claims Russia agreed to security agreements with Western countries
• Russia denies this and insists on having a say in Ukraine's agreements with the West

Future Meetings:

• Zelensky wants a one-on-one meeting with Putin
• Trump is hopeful this will happen
• Trump threatens sanctions if Russia continues attacks
• Decision on sanctions to be made soon