Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of attempting to mislead Washington, a few days before a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
“We understand Russia’s intention to try to deceive America – we will not allow this,” Zelensky said in his evening video address on Sunday.
The two presidents are set to meet Friday in Alaska to discuss a possible solution to the Ukraine war after more than three years of conflict. Zelensky was not invited.
The US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, told CNN on Sunday that he has not ruled out inviting Zelensky to the US-Russian talks, adding that “the decision is going to be made by President Trump.”
In his statement, Zelensky said he appreciated Trump’s determination to end the war but he added the only reason for the continued killing in Ukraine was Putin’s desire to wage war and “manipulate everyone he comes into contact with.”
Zelensky signaled he would reject any peace deal involving territorial concessions, stressing: “We will certainly defend our state and our independence.”
“There is clear support for the principle that everything concerning Ukraine must be decided with Ukraine’s participation,” he added.
EU foreign ministers to meet ahead of US-Russia summit
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday a special video conference with the bloc’s foreign ministers ahead of the planned US-Russia talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kallas plans to discuss the next steps on Monday as “Europe’s core interests are at stake,” she said in a statement.
She said: “Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine’s and the whole of Europe’s security.”
Kallas urged the US to use its influence to push Russia into serious negotiations, warning that Moscow would only cease aggression when it feels it can no longer continue.
In Ukraine and Europe alike, there are fears that the two leaders could agree to Ukraine permanently ceding territory to its neighbour.
Kiev Mayor Klitschko says Ukrainians are ‘tired of this war’
Meanwhile, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko called for a negotiated solution to the Ukraine war. “We must find a diplomatic solution,” Klitschko told Germany’s Bild newspaper in comments published on Sunday.
“Everyone in our state, in our country, is tired of this war,” said the former heavy-weight world boxing champion turned politician.
“Unfortunately, we have paid a huge price for this war: the lives of our patriots, our soldiers, our citizens. Hundreds of cities have been destroyed. A large part of Ukraine is occupied by Russia,” Klitschko said.
Regarding Russia’s demands for territorial concessions by Ukraine to end the war, Klitschko said it was still “far too early” for such talks – but did not explicitly rule out ceding territory.
That was a question for Zelensky, Klitschko said, noting that some “difficult decisions” now fell to Ukraine’s embattled leader. “Some people will never be willing to cede part of the country to Russia,” he added.
Zelensky, who has not been invited, strictly rejects any territorial concessions and vehemently demands to be included in any talks on his country’s future.
Foreign Minister AndriySybiha backs Zelensky
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha backed Zelensky, warning against any “rewards or gifts” to appease Russia.
“Every concession invites further aggression,” Sybiha wrote on X on Sunday.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, meanwhile accused the European leaders of wanting to prevent a peace agreement.
According to Moscow’s portrayal of events, the Russian and US sides are working intensively on a plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
After several phone calls between Putin and Trump, the planned meeting will be the first since the US president returned to office in January. The two met several times during Trump’s first term.
Putin’s last meeting with a US president was in 2021, when he and former president Joe Biden discussed arms control and US allegations of Russian cyberattacks in Geneva.
