**US, Russia and Ukraine to Meet in Munich for Talks on Ending War**
US President Donald Trump has announced that officials from the US, Russia, and Ukraine will meet at a security conference in Munich on Friday. The meeting aims to discuss how to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Trump said: “Russia is going to be there with our people… Ukraine is also invited.” However, Russia did not comment on the announcement, and a senior Ukrainian official said talks with Russians in Munich were “not expected”.
**Ukrainian President to Meet US Officials**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to meet Trump’s Vice-President, JD Vance, in Munich. Zelensky is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, Rubio’s plane had to turn back to a US airbase in Maryland after experiencing a “mechanical issue” on its way to the German city.
**US President Makes Surprise Announcement**
Trump announced the three-way meeting during a press conference on Thursday without giving any further details. Zelensky adviser Dmytro Lytvyn told reporters that the Ukrainian delegation had no plans to attend such a meeting.
**Concerns Over US-Russia Deal**
There are growing concerns across Europe that Trump’s overture to Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to a separate US-Russia deal on Ukraine’s and Europe’s future. French President Emmanuel Macron warned: “A peace that is a capitulation would be bad news for everyone.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “Any quick fix is a dirty deal.” Zelensky stressed that his priority was “security guarantees”, which he did not see without US support.
**US Position on Ukraine and NATO**
It appears the US does not envision a NATO membership for Ukraine. In order to end the war, Ukraine may have to give up territory currently under Russian control. This could be a bitter pill for Zelensky to swallow, as additional US military aid to Ukraine seems unlikely at this point.
**Background on Conflict**
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2014 when Moscow annexed Crimea. Fighting has continued ever since, with hundreds of thousands of people killed or injured and millions of Ukrainian civilians forced to flee their homes.
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