Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that no deal to end the war with Russia can be struck without Kyiv’s consent, after Donald Trump announced plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August.
In an unscheduled video address on Saturday morning, Ukraine’s president said that any agreement reached “far from this war” would be meaningless if it excluded Ukraine.
“This war continues on our land, against our people – and it still cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine,” Zelensky said. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
He stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is guaranteed by its constitution, and cautioned partners that “any decisions that are against us and without Ukraine are dead decisions – they will never work”.
Zelensky said Kyiv remained ready to work with Trump and other partners to achieve “a real and lasting peace” that would not depend on Moscow’s whims.
He closed his address by thanking Ukrainians for their unity and soldiers for defending the country’s independence: “Stand strong. This is our land; we are Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!”