Nervous Wait for Zelensky as Trump–Putin Summit Nears
Tension is mounting in Kyiv. The first meeting in six years between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is just days away. The war in Ukraine will dominate discussions.
But one person will be conspicuously absent from the Alaska talks – Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
When news of the summit broke, Zelensky made his stance clear: any agreements reached without Ukraine’s voice were, in his words, “dead decisions”. European partners have echoed this warning, insisting they will reject any peace arrangement not approved by Kyiv.
The Ukrainian leader is expected to keep close to the phone, awaiting an update from Trump on whether Putin might be open to what the US president has described as a “fair deal”.
White House officials have billed the summit as a “listening exercise” for Trump. Still, the president sought to manage expectations on Thursday, bluntly stating there was only a “25% chance” the talks “could fail”.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Ukrainian forces are bracing for fresh Russian offensives into strategically important areas. The push has intensified over recent days, adding urgency to the diplomatic manoeuvres abroad.
Talks between Trump and Putin in Alaska are already attracting global attention, with speculation over what concessions – if any – might emerge. The meeting in Alaska could prove pivotal for the future of the conflict, even though Ukraine itself has no seat at the table.
For Zelensky, the coming hours may feel like an eternity. The outcome in Alaska could shape Ukraine’s future – without him even being in the room.
