Trump-Putin Meeting: Reasons to Skip That Scenic Trip to Alaska

Source: Author’s Facebook page

Another idea has been floated in the media for testing: Volodymyr Zelenskyy might travel to Alaska and, if conditions allow, join the Russian-American meeting.

I sincerely hope that no one from Ukraine intends to attend.

First, such a step would support Donald Trump’s misguided decision to choose the United States as the venue for the meeting, thereby removing him from international isolation and legitimizing a Russian war criminal.

Moreover, this could be the only tangible outcome of the Russian-American meeting, apart from undisclosed motives and topics that will not be discussed publicly.

Second, joining a discussion after two parties have already defined the agenda is diplomatically inappropriate.

Third, and most importantly, this approach to Ukraine’s participation — assuming a secondary or reactive position — is entirely incompatible with the level of diplomatic agency earned at great cost by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Overall, a meeting in the Zelenskyy–Trump–Putin format carries significant risks. It could turn into a coordinated “four-handed game.”

Donald Trump is assuming the role of a mediator — not a detached one, as in the negotiations in Saudi Arabia, nor an active observer, as in Turkey — but a mediator deeply involved in the negotiation process. While such a role exists in diplomatic law and has precedents in the history of international relations, it is unlikely to be impartial.

Ukraine should not participate in a simulation of peace talks, especially when no genuine outcome is anticipated. Instead, it should hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of partner countries — notably the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France — and ultimately convene a multilateral summit, where all participants are at the table with a coordinated, clear, and strong negotiating position, ensuring that Ukraine is not left to face the challenge alone.

Recall that the White House does not exclude the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Alaska during the meeting of the leaders of the United States and Russia. At the same time, US Vice President J.D. Vance said that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia should be based on the current front line. Taking the current line of combat contact, the US will try to find a negotiated solution, the official added.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the leaders of leading European countries issued a joint statement in which they emphasized Ukraine’s inviolable right to independently determine its future.

Bloomberg previously reported that the US and Russia are preparing a ceasefire agreement that would formally establish Russian control over the occupied territories. At the same time, American and Russian officials are working on an agreement for a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, which is likely to take place next week.

Putin is demanding that Ukraine hand over the entire eastern part of Donbas and Crimea to Russia, which would force Volodymyr Zelenskyy to order the withdrawal of troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which are under Kyiv’s control.

Moreover, according to The Wall Street Journal, US President Donald Trump may recognize Russian control over part of the Ukrainian regions that are currently under occupation. According to the terms being discussed by officials, Russia will undertake to stop the offensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions along the contact line. At the same time, it is not yet known whether the Russian army is ready to give up the occupied territories.

Also, follow “Pryamyi” on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram.

• Materials published in the “OPINIONS” section reflect the opinion of the author of the publication, who bears full responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
• The editorial staff of prm.ua may not share the opinions expressed in the author’s material.
• The owner of the webpage in the “OPINIONS” section is the author of the publication.