Preceding Trump/Putin formal discussion, Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Won’t Cede Land
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the idea of ceding territory to Russia, warning that “any decisions without Ukraine are decisions against peace.” His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next Friday to discuss ending the war, hinting at “some swapping of territories.”
Trump’s proposal, according to Bloomberg, could cement Russia’s control over parts of Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, effectively freezing current front lines. Reports suggest U.S. and Russian officials are exploring a deal in which Moscow halts its offensive in exchange for territorial concessions — a politically sensitive issue in Kyiv.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after talks with Zelenskyy that a ceasefire “freeze” could be approaching, though Zelenskyy remained cautious. The Ukrainian leader has engaged with European leaders, including Germany’s Friedrich Merz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, to ensure Ukraine’s role in any peace talks.
The Kremlin confirmed preparations for the Trump-Putin meeting but has shown no interest in a three-way summit involving Zelenskyy. Putin said a meeting with the Ukrainian president was possible only under unspecified “conditions,” which he claims are far from being met.
Trump, who recently imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports over its purchases of Russian oil, has previously said he could secure a peace deal within 24 hours of taking office. However, his frustrations with Putin have grown as the war enters its third year, with Moscow continuing nightly strikes on Ukrainian cities.
If held, the Alaska summit would mark the first U.S.-Russia meeting since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021.
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