Kyiv Sounds Alarm Over Exclusive Trump–Putin Parley
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically rejected any peace blueprint forged in his absence, branding future accords settled without Ukraine as “still-born.” In a late-night Telegram message, the Ukrainian leader insisted the nation’s constitutional borders remain “non-transferable” and vowed that citizens will never surrender ground seized by Moscow.
Zelenskyy’s Red Lines
- Every negotiation table must include Ukrainian delegates
- Russia cannot be rewarded for its 2022 aggression
- Peace minus Kyiv equals “dead solutions”
Alaska Summit Still on Track—But Could Expand
The prospective encounter between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is slated for Anchorage on Friday, 15 August. While the White House portrays the session as a possible thaw, aides emphasized that arrangements remain “flexible,” leaving open the possibility of a three-way format if Kyiv agrees.
Briefing Update: Two administration sources told CBS that President Trump “isn’t ruling out” inviting Zelenskyy once discussions firm up, yet current logistics reflect Moscow’s preference for a bilateral tone.
European Chorus Speaks in Unison
Saturday evening, the continent’s powerhouses—von der Leyen, Starmer, Macron, Meloni, Merz, Tusk, and Stubb—issued a joint declaration:
“We are persuaded that enduring peace requires the combination of robust diplomacy, unshakable support for Ukraine, and intensified pressure on the Kremlin. Borders redrawn by force are unacceptable. True negotiations must be grounded in de-escalation and, above all, must include Ukraine.”
The Vice-Presidential Scene-Setter
Across the Atlantic, Vice-President JD Vance huddled with national-security advisers from several European capitals at Chevening House in Kent, England. The informal gathering—part of a family vacation—centered on strategies to keep allies aligned should bilateral talks overshadow broader negotiations.
Possible Territorial “Trade-offs” in Play
Speaking to reporters, President Trump hinted that an eventual settlement might involve “some swapping of territories,” though he offered no specifics. Hosting Putin on U.S. soil for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine marks a dramatic shift after years of Western efforts to isolate the Russian leader.
Bottom Line
For Kyiv, the message is clear: no seat at the table means no peace worth endorsing. For the world, the Alaska summit looms as either a breakthrough or another diplomatic minefield—its success may hinge on whether Kyiv’s voice is heard echoing across the negotiating room.
Kent Talks Set Scene for Putin-Trump Summit in Alaska
Why the U.S. Asked for the Meeting
Washington initiated the session to lock in concrete steps that support President Trump’s drive for a negotiated end to hostilities in Ukraine. An administration official told reporters afterward:
“The discussion today moved the needle in a big way. We now have a clearer pathway to a cease-fire ahead of the Alaska summit between President Trump and President Putin.”
The Alaska Plan – First of Its Kind Since 2021
The planned encounter across the Bering Strait would be:
Ukraine’s Quiet Shift on Territory
Privately, Ukrainian officials have signaled flexibility, telling the Associated Press they would accept a deal that de facto acknowledges current front lines as the new reality, ending the struggle to restore pre-2014 borders by force. The shift removes a major hurdle, though Kyiv still insists on:
Battles Continue as Words Flow
Fighting raged even as diplomats talked:
What Comes Next
Day after Kent: U.S., U.K. and Ukrainian teams prepare briefs and maps for the Alaska talks.
Next week: Technical delegations meet in an undisclosed European capital to refine cease-fire monitoring options.
Alaska summit: Date still under wraps, but both sides say “within the next three to four weeks.”
