Former CIA Director David Petraeus Doubtful of Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting

Former CIA Director and retired Army Gen. David Petraeus expressed skepticism on Sunday about the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Petraeus told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl that he believes there is little indication at the moment that such a meeting will take place. He emphasized that Putin seems unwilling to end the conflict unless he is granted additional territory, which would require Russian forces to engage in prolonged fighting.

According to Petraeus, the main obstacle to achieving peace in Ukraine is Putin himself. He suggested that the United States should reconsider its policy on limiting the weapons it provides to Ukraine and increase aid to help bring an end to the 3 1/2-year war.

“We need to change the dynamics by providing more support to Ukraine,” Petraeus stated. “This includes lifting restrictions on weapons, releasing frozen reserves and Russian assets held by European countries to Ukraine, imposing additional sanctions on Russia, and restricting oil exports further.”

This ongoing situation is subject to change, and updates will be provided as they become available.