Zelenskiy Rejects Land Concessions as Trump, Putin Plan Alaska Peace Summit

Political Bureau Chief | www.uknepalpress.com |
National Press Corporation (NPC)
Saturday, August 9 , 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15 in an attempt to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump announced the summit on Friday, suggesting a ceasefire deal was within reach and hinting it could involve “swapping of territories.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy immediately dismissed any plan requiring Kyiv to surrender land. “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupiers,” he said in a Saturday address, warning that any deal made without Ukraine’s consent would be “stillborn” and “unworkable.”

The Kremlin confirmed the talks, with Putin aide Yuri Ushakov saying the leaders would focus on a “long-term peaceful resolution.” Putin claims Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea, though Moscow does not fully control all the regions.

Reports by Bloomberg that the U.S. and Russia were exploring a deal to formalise Moscow’s hold on occupied territory were downplayed by both Washington and the Kremlin. Analysts warn that giving up around one-fifth of Ukraine’s land would be politically explosive for Zelenskiy’s government.

Diplomatic contacts are active ahead of the summit. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow this week for what both sides called “constructive” talks. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there were “signals” of a possible freeze in fighting, but stopped short of predicting a full peace.

The Alaska meeting will be the most significant diplomatic gathering in the state since 2021. Whether it delivers a breakthrough or simply prolongs negotiations remains uncertain — but Kyiv’s stance is clear: peace cannot come at the cost of sovereignty.