Zelensky Warns Against Peace Deals Without Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday firmly rejected any peace agreements made without Ukraine’s involvement. Speaking via social media, Zelensky emphasized that only Ukraine can decide the terms of its peace and ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia.

“Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” Zelensky stated. “Any decisions without Ukraine are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing.”

Trump and Putin to Meet in Alaska for Peace Summit

Zelensky’s warning comes ahead of a high-profile summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. The summit is aimed at discussing potential solutions to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Trump, announcing the summit on Friday, hinted at the possibility of “swapping of territories to the betterment of both” nations—remarks that sparked immediate backlash in Kyiv.

Ukraine Demands Dignified, Inclusive Peace Process

While affirming Ukraine’s openness to meaningful negotiations, Zelensky insisted any peace must be “dignified” and must involve Ukraine directly.

“The war cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine,” he reiterated, suggesting that backdoor deals between major powers would not lead to lasting peace.

Peace Talks Remain Stalled as War Continues

Despite three rounds of negotiations in 2025, Russia and Ukraine have failed to reach a settlement. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced civilians.

Putin has consistently resisted international pressure for a ceasefire and has dismissed the idea of meeting with Zelensky—a move that Kyiv considers essential for progress.

Summit Marks First Trump-Putin Meeting Since 2019

The upcoming Alaska summit would be the first face-to-face meeting between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021. Trump and Putin last sat together at the 2019 G20 summit in Japan.

Although Trump and Putin have spoken by phone several times in recent months, this meeting raises questions over the legitimacy and potential impact of any agreement made without Ukraine at the table.