Ukrainians Wary of Alaska Talks as Russia Pounds Ukraine, Trump Meets EU Leaders, and Tariffs Loom*

As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15, 2025, to discuss a potential ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainians and their European allies are expressing deep skepticism about the talks. Concerns are mounting that the summit, which excludes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, could lead to a deal compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Russia continues its relentless assaults, and questions arise over whether U.S.-imposed tariffs could pressure Moscow toward peace.

### Why Ukrainians Are Wary of Alaska Talks Ukrainian officials and citizens are apprehensive about the Trump-Putin summit, fearing it may prioritize territorial concessions over Ukraine’s interests. Zelenskyy has publicly rejected any deal involving land swaps, emphasizing that Ukraine’s constitution forbids ceding territory to Russia. “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier,” he declared on Telegram, reinforcing that any agreement made without Ukraine’s involvement would be “against peace.”[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/trump-putin-ukraine-alaska-peace-talks-b2804774.html) Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, stressed the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” urging Trump to include Zelenskyy in the talks. Reports suggest the White House is considering a trilateral summit, but Trump’s decision to meet Putin alone has heightened fears of a deal resembling the 1945 Yalta Conference, where major powers decided Europe’s fate without smaller nations’ input.[](https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-russia-vladimir-putin-meeting-donald-trump-alaska-ceasefire-2111362)[](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/fastthinking/trump-and-putin-just-announced-a-meeting-in-alaska-what-does-that-mean-for-the-war-in-ukraine/) European leaders echoed Kyiv’s concerns, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warning against any concessions until Russia agrees to a full ceasefire. A joint statement from the UK, France, Germany, and others emphasized that “international borders must not be changed by force.” The exclusion of Ukraine and its allies from the Alaska summit has fueled suspicions that Trump may push for a deal favoring Moscow, potentially undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity.[](https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/europe-ukraine-push-us-on-peace-plan-ahead-of-trump-putin-alaska-talks-125081000038_1.html) ### Russia’s Territorial Control in Ukraine Russia currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, primarily in the east and south. This includes the entirety of Luhansk Oblast, parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts, and Crimea, annexed in 2014. The Kremlin claims all four regions but controls only about three-quarters of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, with key cities like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson city remaining under Ukrainian control.[](https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-russia-vladimir-putin-meeting-donald-trump-alaska-ceasefire-2111362) The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) notes that Donetsk’s unoccupied areas, including fortified cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, form a critical “fortress belt” that would take Russia years to capture. Similarly, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson’s free territories are heavily defended, with natural barriers like the Dnipro River complicating Russian advances. Ceding these areas would weaken Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, leaving remaining regions vulnerable to future Russian aggression.[](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-latest-trump-confirms-meeting-with-putin-will-take-place-next-week-in-alaska/ar-AA1Jp0PQ) In July 2025, Russia seized an additional 564 km² of Ukrainian territory, equivalent to 0.115% of unoccupied Ukraine, according to Deepstate_UA. Despite heavy losses of 33,000 troops, Russia is bolstering its forces by 9,000 monthly and plans to form 10 new divisions by year’s end.[](https://x.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1951741408525615142)[](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-russia-war-latest-trump-confirms-meeting-with-putin-will-take-place-next-week-in-alaska/ar-AA1Jp0PQ) ### Trump’s Meetings with Ukraine and EU Leaders: Key Takeaways On Monday, Zelenskyy met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London to discuss the Alaska talks and coordinate strategies. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and urged Trump to reject territorial concessions. On Saturday, EU officials presented a counterproposal to the U.S., advocating mutual territorial concessions and NATO membership for Ukraine’s remaining territory, though details remain sparse. Trump’s remarks during a Monday news conference were contradictory. He initially suggested he would consult Zelenskyy and European leaders post-summit but then clarified, “I’m not going to make a deal. It’s not up to me to make a deal.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Ukraine’s right to be part of the process, hinting at Russia’s demands but withholding specifics. The lack of clarity has deepened mistrust among Ukrainian and European officials. ### Could Tariffs Push Putin Toward Peace? Trump has threatened “secondary tariffs” of up to 100% on countries trading with Russia, particularly in energy, to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire. This week, he imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports due to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. However, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow through on broader sanctions, as his August 8 deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal passed without action. Some analysts suggest tariffs could strain Russia’s economy, which relies heavily on energy exports, potentially pushing Putin toward negotiations. Bloomberg reported Russia is considering a limited air truce to reduce pressure from U.S. sanctions while continuing ground operations. However, Ukrainian officials and the ISW argue that Putin’s ongoing military buildup and refusal to compromise indicate he is not serious about peace. Zelenskyy highlighted Russia’s escalation, noting 535 drone and missile strikes in the past week and the capture of Yablunivka in Donetsk. Ukraine’s military intelligence also reported successful strikes on Russian drone warehouses and oil refineries, suggesting Kyiv is countering Russian aggression through deep strikes. These actions underscore Ukraine’s determination to resist concessions despite economic pressures on Moscow. ### Ongoing Conflict and Diplomatic Challenges As the Alaska summit approaches, Russia’s intensified attacks and troop redeployments signal preparations for further offensives, undermining Putin’s ceasefire rhetoric. Zelenskyy and European leaders remain steadfast, insisting on a full Russian withdrawal and accountability for war crimes. The absence of Ukraine and its allies from the talks, combined with Trump’s ambiguous stance on territorial swaps, has heightened fears of a deal that could favor Moscow at Ukraine’s expense. The international community is watching closely, with Alaska’s strategic location—55 miles from Russia across the Bering Strait—adding symbolic weight to the summit. While Trump touts the meeting as a step toward peace, Ukraine and its allies brace for outcomes that could reshape the conflict’s trajectory.