Zelensky Critically Assesses Alaska Summit: Putin Achieved What He Desired, While Ukraine Remained Excluded
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a recent interview with ABC News, expressed his deep concern and disappointment over the outcomes of the meeting between U.S.
and Russian leaders held in Alaska.
According to him, this summit became a true triumph for Vladimir Putin, as he had long sought a personal encounter with U.S.
President Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian leader pointed out that Ukraine’s absence from the event was glaring, leading to a different perception of the situation.
“It’s unfortunate that Ukraine was left out of this forum because, in my view, President Trump essentially gave Putin what he had been pursuing for a long time — the opportunity for a face-to-face with the U.S.
president, then to showcase this meeting as a diplomatic and propaganda success.
This creates additional tension and complicates Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression,” Zelensky emphasized.
Regarding sanctions and energy policies, he highlighted the importance of increasing pressure on Russia, including halting purchases of Russian energy resources.
“We all understand that additional sanctions and reduced economic ties with Russia are necessary because Moscow’s main weapon today is energy resources.
These are the tools it uses to prolong the war and create additional difficulties for Ukraine.
All our efforts must be focused on reducing this weapon’s influence,” he said.
Concerning potential negotiations with Putin, Zelensky underscored that the Russian president makes unacceptable demands and plays his own games with the United States.
“Putin can come to Kyiv, but I cannot go to Moscow while Ukrainian cities are under daily shelling.
I cannot go to the aggressor’s country which is being destroyed by his war.
This is obvious, and he understands it perfectly,” the Ukrainian leader emphasized.
He added that the proposal to meet in Kyiv remains valid, on the condition that it is held in a neutral or bilateral format.
“My position remains unchanged—I am open to any negotiations, but not in Moscow.
The meeting can be bilateral or multilateral; the main thing is that it takes place in a safer, neutral environment,” Zelensky concluded.
Amid these political developments, Ukraine remains under constant threat from Russian attacks.
On September 7, Russia carried out its largest missile attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, deploying over 800 drones of various types and 13 missiles.
Ukrainian defenses managed to destroy or suppress nearly 750 targets, but the strikes resulted in four fatalities and over forty injuries.
This attack symbolized the ongoing severity and danger of the conflict, reaffirming Ukraine’s challenging situation.