Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that Ukraine will not cede occupied territories in light of reports about a possible meeting between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska on August 15, where territorial exchanges could be discussed.
In conversations with European leaders, Zelensky stressed that he sees no real change in Russia’s position, but reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for solutions leading to a just peace. He noted that the concept of territorial exchange is currently unacceptable to both the Ukrainian and Russian leaderships.
Zelensky argued that regaining territories officially annexed by Russia is only possible through force, as Russia is unlikely to relinquish them voluntarily. Putin, for his part, may demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from controlled portions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, a position Ukraine rejects.
Ukraine and its European allies are now working to formulate a unified position for the summit that will be understandable to US representatives and President Donald Trump. This strategy is being developed at a meeting of national security advisors from the US, UK, Ukraine, and European countries in the UK, with US Vice President JD Vance attending.
Experts note that despite Trump’s previous campaign promises to end the war quickly, he now avoids referring to these and is not taking strict measures against Russia. Continuing US support for Ukraine remains subject to diplomatic talks, and any withdrawal of commitments by Trump could affect his political prospects and the Republican Party’s standing.
In summary, Zelensky insists that compromise over territory for the sake of peace is unacceptable for Ukraine. The success of the US-Russia summit may depend on a coordinated stance among Western partners.
