Zelensky asserted that both Trump and Putin are indecisive without Ukraine's involvement.
The recent USA-Russia summit, held on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, brought U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin together for a face-to-face discussion, primarily focusing on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
The summit ended without any agreement, though Trump suggested that Ukraine would need to cede territory to end the war. Putin, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of moving from confrontation to dialogue and expressed Russia’s interest in ending the conflict, highlighting Ukraine as a brotherly people despite the tragic situation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly expressed readiness to meet and engage with efforts to resolve the war, despite concerns that such meetings might be used by Putin to portray Ukraine as capitulating. Shortly after the summit, European leaders convened at the White House to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, effectively seeking to counterbalance any concessions proposed at the U.S.-Russia summit.
The European discussions emphasized that demands for Ukraine to surrender Donbass territories were unacceptable, likening them to an absurd demand for the U.S. to give up a state like Florida.
Trump's stance suggests pressure on Ukraine to make territorial concessions, while Zelensky remains cautious but open to dialogue. The trilateral meeting, intended to address the ongoing war in Eastern Europe, is yet to be scheduled, but Zelensky has expressed confidence that it will take place in the future.
It is important to note that Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian invasion for over three years with Western support. The trilateral meeting is aimed at ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Eastern Europe. The meeting between Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in Alaska is "undoubtedly important for their bilateral relations."
Earlier this week, Trump stated he would not sign an agreement with Putin on the Ukraine conflict, as he does not consider it his responsibility. The European allies of Ukraine and its leadership in Kyiv fear that Putin and Trump could make decisions over the country attacked by Russia, a concern that Zelensky has addressed by stating that no decisions about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine's involvement.
The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War remains a significant international issue, with the 2025 summit marking a rare direct face-to-face encounter between Trump and Putin since the invasion began, but no breakthrough was achieved. European leaders are actively working to support Ukraine’s security and oppose territorial concessions to Russia.
