Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received substantial support from European leaders for his efforts to join the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. This support stems from the deep-seated concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about the potential for a peace deal between Washington and Moscow that could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security. The summit, scheduled for August 15, has been acknowledged by both the White House and the Kremlin, although no formal invitation has yet been issued to Zelenskyy, who is hoping to be part of the discussions that could mark a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the conflict. Zelenskyy’s participation, if granted, would be a landmark moment, representing the first direct dialogue between the Ukrainian president and Russian leader Vladimir Putin since the war began in February 2022.
European Commission and NATO leaders have emphasized that any potential diplomatic solution brokered between Trump and Putin must protect the long-term security interests of Ukraine and the wider European region. In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission reiterated their commitment to ensuring that any deal reached in the talks would not come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. This sentiment is echoed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who has stated that the U.S. has the capacity to compel Russia into meaningful negotiations. She has stressed that any agreement reached between the U.S. and Russia must include Ukraine and the EU, highlighting the critical importance of their inclusion in the peace process. The leaders of NATO have also expressed their support, with Secretary General Mark Rutte noting that the summit will serve as a key test of Putin’s sincerity in seeking to end the war.
Despite the strong backing from European allies, there is a growing concern that the summit could be undermined by external forces. A senior member of Putin’s inner circle, Kirill Dmitriev, has warned that various countries are actively working to sabotage the planned meeting between Trump and Putin. He has described these efforts as ‘titanic’ and has indicated that these countries might attempt to disrupt the summit through diplomatic actions or disinformation campaigns. While Dmitriev has not named the specific countries involved, the warning underscores the high stakes of the summit and the potential for external interference in the negotiations. The threat of such sabotage adds another layer of complexity to the already delicate diplomatic process, as both the U.S. and Russia are striving to find a path to peace that does not compromise critical security interests.
Meanwhile, the broader context of the war has been shaped by the United States’ stance on imposing financial penalties on Russia and its allies. The White House has threatened to impose steep tariffs on the Kremlin and countries that support Russia’s actions in Ukraine. These sanctions are part of a larger strategy aimed at pressuring Russia to engage in serious negotiations and to end the war. In response, bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. have proposed the Sanctioning Russia Act, which would impose a 500% tariff on Russia’s oil and gas exports if Moscow continues to resist peace efforts or escalates the conflict. This legislative proposal highlights the growing financial leverage that the U.S. is willing to apply in its efforts to influence the outcome of the negotiations. The potential imposition of these tariffs underscores the significant economic impact that such actions could have on Russia and its allies, adding another dimension to the diplomatic and economic pressures at play in the current crisis.