Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly dismissed the upcoming summit between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that any peace deal reached without Ukraine's participation would lead to "dead solutions." In a statement shared via Telegram, Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity, which is enshrined in the nation's constitution, emphasizing that it must remain non-negotiable. He stressed that a sustainable peace must include Ukraine's voice in the discussions.
Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine will not reward Russia for its actions and that Ukrainians are unwilling to relinquish their land to the occupier. He expressed concerns that a direct meeting between Trump and Putin could overshadow Kyiv's interests and the broader European agenda. "Any decisions made without Ukraine are simultaneously decisions against peace," Zelenskyy stated. "These are dead decisions that will not yield any positive outcomes."
The highly anticipated summit between Trump and Putin is scheduled to take place in Alaska on Friday, August 15. This meeting is viewed as a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict. A senior official from the White House informed CBS News that the plans for the summit remain fluid, and there is still a possibility that Zelenskyy could participate in some capacity.
Earlier in the week, the White House indicated that Trump is open to discussions with both his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. However, Trump suggested during a press conference that he may initially meet only with Putin, stating his intention to "start off with Russia." Trump also mentioned the potential for organizing a trilateral meeting involving Ukrainian and Russian leaders, though he offered no specific details on how this would unfold.
Trump's announcement to host one of America's adversaries on U.S. soil marks a departure from the norm, as there had been expectations that the leaders would convene in a neutral third country. This gesture may provide Putin with a degree of validation, particularly after the U.S. and its allies have long sought to ostracize him due to his actions in Ukraine.
In conjunction with the summit, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with European national security advisers in the United Kingdom to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This meeting, taking place at Chevening House in Kent, is reportedly at the request of the U.S. and will focus on the next steps in Trump's efforts towards achieving peace in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have indicated that they might be open to a peace deal that effectively acknowledges Ukraine's inability to reclaim lost territories through military means. This upcoming summit would represent the first direct meeting between Putin and a sitting American president since former President Joe Biden met with the Russian leader in Switzerland in June 2021, just months before Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, remarked on the significance of the summit being held in Alaska, suggesting that it is entirely logical for such an important event to take place across the Bering Strait. This summit may prove crucial in a conflict that has persisted for over three years, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. However, it remains uncertain whether this meeting will lead to a cessation of hostilities, as Moscow and Kyiv continue to hold vastly different positions regarding the terms for peace.
Amidst these diplomatic efforts, violence continues in Ukraine. Reports indicate that two individuals were killed and 16 others injured when a Russian drone struck a minibus in the suburbs of Kherson, according to regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Additionally, two more fatalities were reported following a drone strike on a car in the Zaporizhzhia region, as stated by Governor Ivan Fedorov. The Ukrainian air force successfully intercepted 16 of the 47 Russian drones launched overnight, while 31 drones reached targets across 15 locations. They also reported shooting down one of the two missiles used by Russia.
In response, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses had shot down 97 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea overnight into Saturday, along with an additional 21 drones on Saturday morning. The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, underscoring the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution.
