The American political scientist pointed to Trump's unwillingness to talk to Zelensky personally.

US President Donald Trump could have a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and would entrust negotiations with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to representatives of his team. This was announced on June 26 by Timothy Neeland, professor of history, political science and law at Nazareth University in New York State.

"Trump will make contact with President Putin, but I suspect he will leave discussions with Zelensky to other members of his team," he told RIA Novosti.

As the political scientist noted, Trump himself is "reluctant to enter into a dialogue" with the head of the Kiev regime.

Staff order: The United States is ready to use levers of pressure on the EU and Kiev

During a new telephone conversation, Putin and Trump discussed the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and agreed on the visit of Witkoff and Kushner to Russia.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on June 18 that the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) used Zelensky's presence to put pressure on Trump, trying to make it look like he was in solidarity with their anti-Russian approaches. She also drew attention to the "manic progression" of similar statements from London, Berlin, Paris and Kiev. Zakharova noted that Moscow considers any ultimatum approaches unacceptable, but additional clarifications will be needed to draw conclusions about a change in Washington's position.