August 11, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced strong objections to the planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine must be directly involved in any negotiations concerning the war, warning that agreements reached without Kyiv would be “dead solutions.”
The summit, announced last week by President Trump, aims to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has entered its fourth year. It will mark the first high-level US–Russia meeting on American soil in decades. Reports suggest the agenda could include proposals for territorial adjustments — an idea Zelensky has categorically rejected, stating that Ukraine will “not give land to the occupier” under any circumstances.
In a televised statement, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine’s constitutional right to territorial integrity cannot be compromised. “No decision about Ukraine can be taken without Ukraine. Our sovereignty is not a bargaining chip,” he declared, underscoring that the country must retain full agency in shaping its future.
Ukraine’s position has received strong backing from its Western allies. Leaders from the European Union and NATO have reiterated that peace talks without Kyiv’s participation would lack legitimacy. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called an extraordinary meeting of European foreign ministers to address the issue, while several European leaders — including those from Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom — have issued public statements urging Ukraine’s inclusion in the Alaska talks.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also emphasized that the alliance is committed to ensuring Ukraine has “all the tools to stay in the fight” and that its voice is central to any diplomatic outcome. The united stance among Ukraine’s allies reflects a shared concern that any agreement reached solely between Washington and Moscow could undermine the principles of sovereignty and international law.
Political analysts note that Zelensky’s firm rejection of exclusion is intended not only to protect Ukraine’s territorial claims but also to reinforce the broader principle that nations under attack must have a direct role in peace negotiations. Excluding Ukraine, they warn, could destabilize the region further and erode trust in international diplomacy.
As the August 15 Alaska summit approaches, the diplomatic stakes are intensifying. While Washington has not confirmed whether Ukraine will be invited to participate, Kyiv and its supporters are mobilizing to ensure it has a seat at the table. For Zelensky, the message remains unequivocal: Ukraine’s future cannot be decided without Ukraine’s voice.
