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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow “must not receive any rewards” for its ongoing military assault on Ukraine, ahead of the summit in Alaska between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Viktor Kovalenko, a Ukrainian military veteran who produces the *Ukraine Decoded* Substack, told *Newsweek* that Friday’s meeting “presents both an opportunity and peril.”
According to Zelensky, Russia is dragging out the war and deserves stronger global pressure. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) that concessions do not persuade a killer; only strong protection of life can stop them.
The U.S. and Russian presidents will discuss the ongoing conflict with hopes for a breakthrough, possibly including territorial settlements. However, Ukraine’s European allies fear that Trump may push for land swaps in return for peace, which Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
Ukraine’s presidential office reported that Moscow seeks Kyiv’s withdrawal from partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in exchange for Putin withdrawing forces from Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. Zelensky emphasized on X that such concessions would be unacceptable.
European leaders are planning to speak with Trump before the meeting, as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that any peace efforts must involve Ukraine if the summit succeeds. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed this, warning that Russia cannot emerge from talks “strengthened” and highlighting the importance of not accepting Russian terms for seizing Ukrainian territory.
Kovalenko noted that most European allies and Zelensky are overwhelmed by stereotypes about Trump shared by his political opponents, which limits trust in facing an aggressive Moscow. He suggested supporting Washington to work towards lasting peace.
The upcoming Trump-Putin summit is seen as a high-stakes meeting with both opportunities and perils for the U.S. and Ukraine. European leaders aim to coordinate with Washington before the summit, given Trump’s “unpredictability at times.”
Reports indicate that European countries are lobbying Washington, showing continued diplomatic efforts leading up to the Friday summit.
*Newsweek* has contacted the White House for comment.
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What did Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warn about regarding Moscow during the ongoing military assault on Ukraine?
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