Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be invited to join the upcoming high-profile summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, according to a media report. Citing a high-ranking US official, NBC News reported that the White House is “considering” inviting Zelenskyy to the Aug. 15 talks. The summit is scheduled to seek a “long-term peaceful solution” for the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on for over three-and-a-half years. While the Ukrainian leader’s visit has not been finalised, sources told NBC that the possibility of his presence at the venue remains on the table. Trump has indicated that his bilateral meeting with Putin will precede any potential trilateral discussion involving Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy Warns Against ‘Dead Solutions’ Without Ukraine
Speaking to Ukrainians on Saturday, Zelensky strongly opposed any arrangement that would involve surrendering territory to Russia in exchange for peace. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier. Any decisions without Ukraine are decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing,” he said. The Ukrainian president stressed that the country’s territorial integrity is protected by its constitution and “cannot be sacrificed.” He also warned that offering concessions to Moscow would set a dangerous precedent for international law.
Zelenskyy’s comments came as the Kremlin continues to assert jurisdiction over four Ukrainian regions ,Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, as well as Crimea, annexed in 2014. Kyiv has insisted that it would not ever recognize Russia’s occupation of its territories, irrespective of how things go on the battlefield.
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Trump-Putin Talks To Focus On Ending Ukraine War
The White House confirmed that Trump will receive Putin in Alaska to negotiate means of stopping the war. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov described the venue selection as “completely rational,” considering Alaska’s geographic location near Russia. In remarks to the local media reporters, Trump suggested the potential for an exchange of territories, stating, “There’ll be some exchange of land to the advantage of both,” without explanation. This statement has caused concern in Kyiv and throughout European capitals. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, following a meeting with Zelenskyy , reported there were “hopes” of movement but cautioned against a hasty or unilateral settlement. “Ukraine is keen that Poland and other European allies should have something to say in the negotiation of any ceasefire and peace agreement,” Tusk stated.
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Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has killed tens of thousands and uprooted millions. In spite of fierce battles, Moscow has not been able to capture all the territories it asserts. As the Alaska summit looms less than a week away, global eyes are on whether Trump and Putin can overcome the rift between Moscow and Kyiv, or whether Zelenskyy’s threat of “stillborn decisions” will come true if Ukraine is not invited to the table.
With inputs from agencies.