US media reports suggest that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be invited to Alaska on the day of the US-Russia presidential summit scheduled there. This information has not been officially confirmed, and Zelenskyy's format of participation remains unclear.
Previously, the US side proposed a trilateral summit with Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, but the Russian president ignored this offer. This response is typical of Vladimir Putin, who prefers to ignore undesirable Western initiatives while advancing his own to gain maneuvering space.
In May, after coordinating an ultimatum about a ceasefire and new sanctions, Putin did not acknowledge these demands. Instead, he suggested resuming talks in Istanbul, which led to no substantial results. The US administration, particularly President Donald Trump, supported this initiative, but the sanctions issue was left aside.
This approach is being repeated: Trump's ultimatums against Russia have not led to new sanctions, and major energy buyers like China continue to purchase Russian oil despite US pressure. Sanctions against India are seen more as economic leverage than a direct anti-Russia measure.
This context raises a key question: if Trump wants Europeans responsible for Europe’s security, why are neither Ukrainian nor European leaders expected at the upcoming summit? Today, leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission have called on Trump to consult Europe over Putin’s proposals.
The open letter indicates that previous talks in London yielded little progress. The Russian side has not withdrawn its maximalist demands, and the US has not convinced Europeans to approach the negotiations differently.
Recent discussions of a "territory swap" between Russia and Ukraine remain merely political posturing. Russia does not intend to relinquish occupied land, considering it of strategic importance.
If any summit agreement excludes the interests of Ukraine and Europe, it is unlikely to be seen as a serious peace effort. With US public opinion regarding Russia as an aggressor, the topic of the Russia-Ukraine war will stay a priority.
