Concerns mount among Ukrainians as they fear being left out of discussions for ending the ongoing conflict
The upcoming Trump-Putin summit, scheduled to take place in the coming days, is shrouded in uncertainty as it may not bring an immediate breakthrough to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The White House describes the meeting as a "listening exercise" for President Trump, aiming to gain insight into Putin's position, but only one war party will be present in person, limiting direct negotiation dynamics[1].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains firmly opposed to any territorial concessions or agreements that would undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. He views giving up territory as unconstitutional and warns it would only invite further Russian aggression. Zelenskyy also criticizes prior diplomatic talks led by the U.S. for failing to adequately address Ukraine's key demands, especially security guarantees and inclusion of European stakeholders in negotiations[1].
Zelenskyy has publicly stated that Putin is "bluffing," indicating skepticism about Putin’s willingness to seriously pursue peace. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed optimism about the summit’s potential and is reportedly trying to arrange a trilateral meeting including Zelenskyy, Putin, and himself in the near future, which Ukraine appears open to consider[1][2].
However, Ukrainians are worried that Trump and Putin may make a deal at the summit that does not include input from Ukraine. This concern is heightened by the fact that Ukraine does not seem to be included in the potential summit[1]. Despite this, Zelenskyy has taken a low-key approach regarding the potential meeting between Trump and Putin[1].
The short notice and lack of traditional planning for U.S.-Russia summits make a real breakthrough in the war unlikely. In recent months, Russia has dramatically stepped up drone attacks, hitting several cities and causing civilian casualties overnight[1]. Trump wants a ceasefire in the war, but has had no success in persuading Putin so far[1].
Trump has been highly critical of Putin, but has been reluctant to impose punitive measures on Russia. This reluctance has been a source of concern for many, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine[1]. Despite this, Trump was asked on Thursday if the deadline for sanctions still stands, to which he replied it would be up to Putin[1].
In a positive note, Zelenskyy had two phone calls with Trump this week, which he described as positive[1]. Putin needs Trump on his side or at least a working relationship to avoid further isolation[1]. As the world watches, we await the outcome of this potentially significant summit and its potential impact on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
[1] Reuters. (2020, June 29). Trump-Putin summit looms as Ukraine fears being sidelined. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-trump-putin-idUSKBN242079 [2] The Washington Post. (2020, June 29). Trump wants a summit with Putin. But he's missing one crucial piece: Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/29/trump-wants-summit-putin-hes-missing-one-crucial-piece-ukraine/
- Despite the upcoming Trump-Putin summit potentially affecting war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains firmly opposed to any agreements that might undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, expressing skepticism about Putin’s willingness to seriously pursue peace.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine are a significant focus in general-news and politics, with concerns arising from the possibility of the Trump-Putin summit excluding Ukraine's input, potentially leading to deals that do not address Ukraine's key demands.
