As the world prepares for a high-stakes meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a firm and defiant warning to both leaders: Ukraine will not accept any land-for-peace deal, nor will it allow decisions to be made about its future without its participation.
The meeting between Trump and Putin has already stirred international controversy, particularly because Ukraine will not be directly represented. With fighting in eastern Ukraine intensifying and geopolitical tensions mounting, Zelenskyy’s remarks signal a bold stance at a crucial moment for the war-torn country.
“No Second Partition of Ukraine”
In a series of statements and interviews this week, Zelenskyy rejected any proposal involving territorial concessions to Russia, calling such ideas “unconstitutional” and “morally bankrupt.” Speaking from Berlin after a joint meeting with European leaders, Zelenskyy declared, “There will be no second partition of Ukraine. Not under my presidency, not under any government that believes in sovereignty and international law.”
Zelenskyy’s language references fears among Ukrainians and allies that Trump, who has previously expressed skepticism toward NATO and voiced admiration for Putin, might pressure Ukraine into accepting territorial compromises as part of a ceasefire deal. While Trump has not publicly endorsed any such agreement, speculation has grown following leaked documents suggesting that his campaign team is exploring “alternative diplomatic outcomes” to the war.
Warning to Trump: “Don’t Be Fooled by Putin”
Zelenskyy also issued a direct warning to Trump, cautioning him not to fall for what he called “deceptive peace offers” from the Kremlin. “Russia does not want peace,” he said in an interview with Euronews. “They want a pause—a chance to regroup, rearm, and invade again. We’ve seen this before in Georgia. We saw it after Crimea. They lie, they sign, and they break.”
He urged the former U.S. president to remember that any agreement reached without Kyiv’s involvement would not be considered legitimate by the Ukrainian government or its people. “Peace made behind our backs is not peace—it’s betrayal,” he said.
Zelenskyy emphasized that while diplomacy is welcome, any solution must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity as recognized in international law, including Crimea and the Donbas region.
Recent Russian Offensives Undermine Peace Hopes
Zelenskyy’s warning comes just days after Russian forces launched a surprise offensive in eastern Ukraine, advancing toward the cities of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk. According to Ukrainian military sources, the move appeared designed to shift the battlefield dynamics ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting.
Ukrainian officials say the attack resulted in dozens of casualties and forced the rapid deployment of reserves. “This was not a defensive posture. This was a clear act of aggression meant to create leverage before talks in Alaska,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Defense.
Zelenskyy referenced the offensive as evidence that Moscow has no genuine interest in halting the war. “They want to show Trump that they hold power on the ground—and they want him to pressure us to give in. But that will not happen.”
The Alaska Summit: Concerns Over Backroom Deals
The Trump-Putin summit, set to take place in Anchorage, Alaska, has raised eyebrows among NATO allies and U.S. diplomats alike. While Trump is not currently president, he remains the Republican front-runner in the upcoming 2026 election and has publicly pledged to “end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours” if re-elected.
Critics fear that Trump’s approach could legitimize Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory and weaken NATO’s unified support. “He’s playing a dangerous game,” said one unnamed European diplomat. “By negotiating directly with Putin without Kyiv, he risks giving Russia exactly what it wants—recognition and division.”
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any meaningful peace negotiations. “This war is not about two superpowers. It’s about one free nation resisting occupation. And no one has the right to negotiate away our land,” he stated.
European Allies Back Ukraine
European leaders, including German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock and French President Emmanuel Macron, met with Zelenskyy in Berlin ahead of the Alaska summit to reaffirm their support. In a joint statement, they echoed his calls for Ukrainian sovereignty and warned against any unilateral negotiations that ignore Ukraine’s role.
The statement read: “Any discussions about Ukraine must involve Ukraine. There can be no sustainable peace without the consent of the Ukrainian people and government.”
Germany also pledged to expedite the delivery of additional air defense systems, while France confirmed it would extend its security guarantees for at least another two years.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support but also urged his European partners to increase diplomatic pressure on Trump. “We need unity, not division. We need diplomacy, not backdoor deals,” he said.
Looking Ahead: A Defining Week for Ukraine
The next few days could prove pivotal for Ukraine’s war effort and its diplomatic standing. Analysts say that Zelenskyy’s firm rhetoric is intended both to deter Western capitulation and to rally domestic and international resolve.
“It’s a calculated message,” said political analyst Kateryna Yushchenko. “Zelenskyy knows this is a dangerous moment—Russia is pushing harder, and Trump’s return to global politics could shake the diplomatic order. His job now is to make sure Ukraine doesn’t get sold out in a handshake.”
Zelenskyy is also scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly virtually later this week, where he is expected to repeat his warnings and urge global leaders to stand firm against Russian aggression.
Conclusion
President Zelenskyy’s warning to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is a stark reminder that the future of Ukraine—and European security—cannot be negotiated without Ukraine’s active participation. As the world watches the Trump-Putin summit unfold, Kyiv’s message is unmistakable: sovereignty is non-negotiable, and peace must not come at the cost of justice or independence.
Whether that message resonates with Trump or shifts the outcome of the summit remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Zelenskyy is not backing down, and Ukraine is not prepared to surrender an inch of its territory.
