A possible involvement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not excluded. This was reported by a high official of the White House, mentioned by the CBS, according to which Zelensky “could be involved in some way”. However, the Ukrainian leader expressed reservations about the negotiation, underlining the risks of an agreement reached without the direct participation of Kiev. “Ukraine is ready to make concrete decisions that can bring peace,” he said, specifying that “any decision against us and that does not involve Ukraine is a decision against peace”.
Zelensky has firmly reiterated the position of his government: “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupant. They defend what it is. We will not reward Russia for what he has done”. And again: “It is really important that the Russians can no longer deceive anyone. We have to work for real peace”.
Let’s move on to Europe. The Kiev line is also shared by the main European partners. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Premier Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had direct interviews with Zelensky in the day. At the end, Macron summarized the position with clear words: “The future of Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainians, who for over three years have struggled for their freedom and security. Even Europeans will necessarily be part of the solution, because they go to their safety”.
From Brussels, the European Commission has confirmed its commitment to support Ukraine within a negotiating course: “The EU continues to support peace negotiations to end the military aggression of Russia, in a context in which Ukraine can make independent and sovereign decisions that the European Union will support,” said a spokesperson. But in fact there will be no one in Alaska.
In view of the meeting, a reserved meeting between the National Security Councilors of the United States, Ukraine and European countries, including Italy, is underway in the United Kingdom. The summit takes place in the country residence of the British Foreign Minister David Lammy, in Kent. There is also a high official of the European Commission, while President Ursula von der Leyen is in contact with the participants. But nothing concrete. An attempt to count something is reported by the Wall Street Journal.
In fact, European countries asked for clarifications from the correspondent Steve Witkoff on Putin’s proposal for a ceased fire in Ukraine after confusion had spread on what the leader had really put on the Kremlin on the plate. According to the reconstructions of the newspaper, Trump shortly after the meeting between Witkoff and Putin had reported to the European leaders that Russia would have been willing to withdraw from the area south of Zaporizia and the Kherson in exchange for full control of the Donetsk. In a subsequent phone call with the European Championships, however, Witkoff had suggested that Moscow would retire and frozen the line at the front. On Friday, European officials asked for a third call with Witkoff to clarify what Putin actually proposed and on that occasion Trump’s correspondent said that the only offer on the table was the unilateral withdrawal of Ukraine from the Donetsk in exchange for a ceased. Once Putin’s plan appeared clearly, he was immediately rejected by the Ukrainian President Zelensky and European officials. “The proposal is much worse than Trump said during the call,” a Brussels official reported to the WSJ. “It is about giving Putin what he wants in exchange for nothing,” added another.
Returning to the summit, according to the BBC the meeting would have been summoned on an American request. The vice -president of the United States also takes part, JD Vance, a guest with his Lammy family. Also the Wall Street Journal reports that a joint counter -proposal of Europe and Kiev would emerge from the summit, destined to be the basis for the next talks with Moscow. Among the central points, the refusal of the Russian request to obtain Ukrainian territories in the Donetsk region in exchange for the truce. Before any step, Moscow – according to the shared position – should adhere to one immediate fire.
Russia, for its part, looks at the top with prudence and manifest concern for possible interference. “Without a doubt, some countries interested in the continuation of the conflict will make titanic efforts, resorting to provocations and disinformation, to make the meeting expected between President Putin and President Trump fail,” said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Fund for direct investments.
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