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**Ukrainian and European Demands**
Zelenskyy has firmly rejected suggestions of territorial swaps, emphasizing that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits ceding land to Russia. In a video message posted on Monday, he stated, “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier,” and warned that Putin shows no signs of preparing for a ceasefire, citing Russian troop movements that suggest plans for new offensives. Zelenskyy stressed that any agreement must include Ukraine at the negotiating table, calling for a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin to ensure Kyiv’s interests are represented.
European leaders echoed this sentiment in a joint statement on August 9 from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission. They underscored their “unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” insisting that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is hosting a virtual summit on Wednesday with Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders, emphasized that territorial issues cannot be settled “over the heads of Ukrainians.”
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, highlighted the need for Ukraine and the EU to be included in any deal, stating, “The U.S. has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” but warned that agreements excluding Kyiv and Brussels could jeopardize European security. European leaders have proposed a ceasefire as a prerequisite to any territorial discussions, rejecting Putin’s reported demand for Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region in exchange for halting hostilities. They also call for reciprocal territorial exchanges and robust security guarantees, including potential NATO membership for Ukraine.
**Concerns Over Alaska Summit**
The Alaska summit has sparked unease in Ukraine due to Zelenskyy’s absence from the initial talks and Trump’s repeated references to “land swapping” as a solution. Trump told reporters on Monday, “There’ll be some land swapping going on,” suggesting that both Ukraine and Russia would need to make concessions. He criticized Zelenskyy’s stance against ceding territory, noting, “I was a little bothered by the fact that Zelenskyy was saying, ‘Well, I have to get constitutional approval.’” Trump expressed confidence in brokering a deal, stating he would gauge Putin’s seriousness “within two minutes” of their meeting and ultimately aims to bring both leaders together to resolve the conflict.
However, Zelenskyy and European allies fear that concessions to Russia, particularly allowing Moscow to retain control over occupied territories like Donetsk and Crimea, could embolden further aggression. Russia currently holds about a fifth of Ukraine, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea, annexed in 2014. Putin’s reported ceasefire proposal, shared with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on August 6, demands Ukraine relinquish all of Donetsk, a condition Kyiv and its allies have rejected.
**Can Tariffs Pressure Russia?**
Trump has threatened economic measures, including new sanctions and tariffs, to push Russia toward peace. Last week, he imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil, signaling potential “secondary” tariffs on other Russian trading partners like China and Türkiye. However, no new measures have been announced since Trump’s August 8 deadline for a ceasefire passed without agreement. Analysts question whether tariffs alone can force Putin’s hand, given Russia’s ability to sustain its war effort through oil and gas sales to non-Western countries.
Oxana Shevel, a Ukraine expert at Tufts University, noted that Trump’s shifting stance—from threatening sanctions to engaging directly with Putin—may undermine U.S. credibility. “Setting deadlines and blowing through them deeply undermines America’s deterrence,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
**Patriot Systems and Ukraine’s Defense**
Amid the diplomatic maneuvering, Ukraine continues to face intense Russian military pressure, with recent advances in Donetsk and increased drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure. Ukraine’s development of battlefield drones and deep strikes into Russia have been notable, but its military position remains precarious, with Russia gaining ground in areas like Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar.
The deployment of U.S.-provided Patriot air defense systems has bolstered Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aerial assaults, which hit a record 6,000 drones in July. However, experts argue that a significant increase in military aid, such as a proposed $1 billion package, would be necessary to shift the battlefield dynamics and deter further Russian advances.
**Looking Ahead**
As Trump heads into the Alaska summit, the absence of Zelenskyy and European leaders raises fears of a deal that could favor Russian interests. European and Ukrainian officials are urging Trump to prioritize a ceasefire and security guarantees over territorial concessions. The virtual summit on Wednesday will be a critical moment for aligning U.S., Ukrainian, and European positions ahead of the Alaska talks. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy’s insistence that “Russia must end it” underscores Kyiv’s resolve to resist any agreement that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty.
With the war’s toll mounting—over 1 million Russian casualties and 400,000 Ukrainian losses—pressure is growing for a resolution, but experts warn that any deal without Ukraine’s consent is unlikely to hold.[](https://www.csis.org/analysis/experts-react-whats-stake-trump-putin-alaska-meeting)
