American President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks in Alaska on August 15 to consider a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, but the Ukrainian capital and the capitals of the European Union countries fear that a hasty deal may legitimize Russia’s territorial gains. Trump declared he will know “within two minutes” whether a deal can be done, even suggesting “land swaps” something Kyiv adamantly denies. Russia is likely to insist on Ukraine’s isolation from NATO and acceptance of lands occupied since February 2022, terms President Volodymyr Zelensky will not accept.
European leaders such as Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO leader Mark Rutte have called for a united front, emphasizing Ukraine’s sovereignty and involvement in negotiations. Canada and the UK reiterated that peace “must be built with Ukraine, not imposed.” And meanwhile, the fighting goes on: Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia’s Oryol province killed one and wounded two, and Moscow reports intercepting 39 drones over Crimea. With a 1,000-km frontline and no indication of Russian withdrawal, the Alaska summit is risky possibly changing the course of the war, U.S.-Russian relations, and European security calculations. For Kyiv, not being at the table threatens not only land, but also the principle that borders can’t be re-drawn by military force.
