Days before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected the idea of ceding any territory to Russia. In a video statement, Zelenskyy emphasized that while his country is ready for “real decisions” to achieve a “dignified peace,” any agreement must uphold Ukraine’s constitution and territorial integrity. He warned that “decisions without Ukraine” would be “stillborn” and unworkable.
Zelenskyy’s comments came after Trump suggested that a peace deal could involve “some swapping of territories.” The upcoming summit will be the first meeting between sitting U.S. and Russian presidents since 2021. While Trump is hopeful for a breakthrough, previous negotiations this year have stalled. Putin has said he would meet with Zelenskyy only under conditions that Kyiv and its allies have rejected, which include giving up occupied regions and abandoning its aspirations for NATO membership. Russia currently claims four partially controlled Ukrainian regions, along with Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.
Ukraine’s position is backed by its European allies. Zelenskyy has spoken with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, urging them to take “clear steps” towards a lasting peace and to resist Russia’s attempts to limit talks to “the impossible.” Macron reiterated that “Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without the Ukrainians,” highlighting that Europe’s own security is at stake. In a related development, national security advisors from the U.S., U.K., and E.U. convened in Britain to coordinate their positions ahead of the Trump-Putin summit. While a Russian aide, Yuri Ushakov, said the Alaska talks will “focus on achieving a long-term peaceful resolution,” both sides acknowledge the process will be challenging.
