Zelenskiy Seeks a Place at the Table with Trump and Putin
ISLAMABAD – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is pushing for direct participation in this week’s highly anticipated U.S.-Russia summit, where President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss ending the 3½-year-long war in Ukraine.
Trump, who recently signaled openness to new sanctions against Russia, instead confirmed he will meet Putin on August 15 in Alaska for a bilateral discussion. While a White House official hinted Zelenskiy’s attendance is possible, preparations remain focused on a Trump-Putin-only meeting — raising concerns in Kyiv and across Europe.
Fears of a Deal Without Ukraine
Kyiv worries that a backroom deal between Washington and Moscow could involve territorial swaps, potentially forcing Ukraine to surrender land in exchange for peace. Trump’s suggestion that an agreement could involve “swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides” has sparked alarm among Ukrainian leaders, who insist any deal reached without their participation would be “stillborn and unworkable.”
European allies, including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, have jointly emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty must be protected and that no diplomatic solution should compromise its security interests.
“The U.S. has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, adding that any deal without Ukraine and the EU would undermine regional stability.
Military Strikes and Escalating Tensions
As diplomatic maneuvering intensifies, Russia launched strikes in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region over the weekend, injuring at least 12 people. Zelenskiy responded by urging tougher sanctions against Moscow, insisting that only sustained pressure could bring the Kremlin to the negotiating table.
Putin, however, dismissed the idea of meeting Zelenskiy, claiming conditions for such talks were still far from being met. Russian officials have also accused Europe of trying to block Trump’s peace efforts, with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev calling EU leaders “Euro-imbeciles” in a social media tirade.
The Territorial Puzzle
Russia currently controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea (annexed in 2014) and significant portions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Pro-Kremlin analysts speculate that any potential deal could see Russia exchanging smaller territories for larger gains, though such claims remain unverified.
Western military analysts note that Russia captured about 500 sq km of Ukrainian territory in July alone, albeit with high casualty rates.
Europe’s Counter-Strategy
European leaders have reportedly crafted a counter-proposal to Trump’s potential deal with Putin, though details remain undisclosed. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stressed that Ukraine must retain control over its own geopolitical future, comparing the situation to post-World War Two arrangements in the Baltic states.
What’s at Stake
For Kyiv, being excluded from the summit risks setting a precedent where decisions about Ukraine are made without Ukraine. Political experts warn that such an outcome could fracture the country’s alliance with Europe and embolden Russia’s territorial ambitions.
Ukrainian analyst Volodymyr Fesenko summed up the stakes:
“For us right now, a joint position with the Europeans is our main resource.”
The Alaska meeting could mark a turning point in the war — either paving the way for a balanced peace or cementing a geopolitical deal that reshapes Eastern Europe’s borders without Kyiv’s consent.
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