The two leaders can’t make any deals on Ukraine without keeping it in the loop, Vladimir Zelensky has claimed
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, will not be able to decide the fate of Ukraine during their highly anticipated Alaska summit unless Kiev consents to it, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky told reporters.
Zelensky – who earlier called the summit a “personal victory” for Putin – sought to downplay the potential of the August 15 meeting in Anchorage. Both Moscow and Washington have said that the summit would be primarily dedicated to finding a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict, with Trump suggesting that the sides would discuss a potential land swap arrangement between Russia and Ukraine.
“As for the negotiations… they are important at the level of leaders. But talking about Ukraine without Ukraine is impossible and no one will accept it,” Zelensky claimed.
He acknowledged that “a conversation between the US president… and Putin, can certainly be important for the bilateral track”. “But they cannot accept anything about Ukraine without us,” Zelensky insisted.
The Ukrainian leader also suggested that there will be “a trilateral meeting at the level of leaders,” adding that the date for such a gathering is yet unknown.
Moscow earlier did not rule out direct talks with Zelensky, but said it should be preceded by significant diplomatic progress, while voicing concern about his right to sign any binding agreements, given that his presidential term expired last year.
Ahead of the Alaska summit, Zelensky is expected to hold virtual talks with several European leaders as well as Trump. Several unnamed European officials have told Reuters they see a risk that the summit would lead to an unfavorable deal for Ukraine and its backers. Another source suggested that Trump might seek a deal directly with Putin without involving Ukraine or the EU.
A Daily Telegraph report on Monday claimed that Zelensky could agree to freeze the current front lines and concede land to Russia as part of a possible settlement. Kiev has repeatedly rejected any territorial concessions to Moscow.
