"Any decisions against us or without Ukraine's presence are decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. The conflict cannot end without Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today.

The Ukrainian leader affirmed the country's readiness for decisions that genuinely bring peace, but emphasized that it must be "a serious peace" and declared that Kyiv "will not concede its territory."

This comment comes after the US and Russia confirmed a summit between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15/8, focused on peace in Ukraine. In the meeting announcement, Trump mentioned "a territorial exchange" benefiting both Russia and Ukraine, but provided no details.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in Kyiv on 10/5. Photo: AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks in Kyiv on 10/5. Photo: AFP

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has pushed for negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict. However, three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey yielded no progress on a ceasefire, despite urging from the US president.

The Kremlin leader has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire from the US, Europe, and Ukraine, and ruled out direct negotiations with Zelensky at this time. Putin believes the current conditions are not ripe for a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart.

The Trump-Putin meeting signals a de-escalation of US-Russia tensions. Relations previously escalated when Trump issued an ultimatum, threatening sanctions if Russia didn't reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine by 8/8.

This will be the first summit between the Russian and US presidents since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in 6/2021.

Trump and Putin last met in person at the G20 summit in Japan in 2019, during Trump's first term. The two leaders have spoken by phone several times since the Republican politician returned to the White House in January.

However, it remains unclear whether this summit can bring peace in Ukraine any closer.

Thuy Lam (AFP)