Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised concerns about the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that any peace negotiations that exclude Kyiv are likely to fail.
Scheduled for Friday in Alaska, the summit is seen as a crucial event. Zelenskyy, expressing his apprehensions through a Telegram post, emphasized that excluding Ukraine from the talks would lead to ineffective outcomes.
Despite Trump’s willingness to engage with Putin without involving Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader stressed the essential role of Ukraine in the peace process, citing the country’s territorial integrity as a fundamental principle in its constitution.
Zelenskyy’s comments reflect fears that direct communication between Trump and Putin could compromise the interests of Kyiv and Europe, stating that solutions that do not involve Ukraine are counterproductive to peace efforts.
In private discussions, Ukrainian officials hinted to the Associated Press that they might consider accepting a peace agreement acknowledging the challenges of regaining lost territory through military means.
Trump has expressed his readiness to meet with Putin to address the Ukraine conflict, as reported by the Express US. Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, suggested the possibility of a summit in Alaska between the leaders of Russia and the U.S.
The meeting could be a pivotal moment in a conflict that began over three years ago with Russia’s invasion of its western neighbor, resulting in significant casualties. However, there is uncertainty about whether it will bring an end to the violence, as Moscow and Kyiv remain at odds over peace terms.
Trump’s decision to meet with Putin before engaging with Zelenskyy signifies a departure from the expected neutral meeting ground. This move grants Putin legitimacy after years of isolation efforts by the U.S. and its allies due to his actions in Ukraine.
Trump’s frustration over Putin’s lack of cooperation in halting attacks on Ukrainian cities led to a recent escalation with threats of sanctions and tariffs if Russia did not work towards resolving the conflict.