Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any proposal that would see Ukraine cede territory to Russia, just days ahead of a highly anticipated summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The planned meeting, set for Friday, August 15, is already drawing global scrutiny amid growing fears that it may lead to a controversial backdoor deal to end the war in Ukraine at the cost of Ukrainian sovereignty.
According to Western officials briefed on the matter, Putin has proposed a plan to halt the nearly four-year war in Ukraine. The plan, delivered to Trump’s foreign envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow earlier this week, calls for Kyiv to surrender the entire eastern Donbas region most of which is already under Russian control as well as Crimea, which Russia annexed illegally in 2014.
The proposal also includes freezing the current battle lines, effectively locking in Russian territorial gains since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022. However, key details remain vague, including the future status of other contested regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and whether Russia would halt its offensive in those areas.
Zelensky: Ukraine Will Not Give Up Land
President Zelensky responded defiantly to reports of the proposed deal, stating categorically, “Ukraine will not give land to the occupier.” His comments reflect Kyiv’s longstanding position that any resolution to the conflict must respect Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, and that no peace deal should come at the expense of territorial integrity.
His rejection of the plan underscores the growing diplomatic rift between Ukraine’s government and those in the West particularly in Washington who may be open to brokering a ceasefire that stops the fighting but legitimizes Russian gains.
European Allies Alarmed
European officials have been briefed by U.S. representatives, including Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, about Putin’s plan. While some welcomed the idea of a pause in fighting, others were deeply concerned by the apparent willingness to consider a deal based on territorial concessions.
Several European diplomats privately warned that such an agreement would reward Russian aggression and create a dangerous precedent for future conflicts, particularly in regions where border disputes remain unresolved.
One senior European official noted that the proposal seemed designed to pre-empt additional sanctions Trump had threatened to impose on Russia sanctions that were expected to be unveiled the same day as the planned Alaska summit.
Uncertainty Over U.S. Support
Adding further complexity to the situation is a recent Pentagon policy memo that may allow the U.S. Defense Department to divert weapons and military equipment initially allocated for Ukraine back into U.S. stockpiles. According to multiple officials familiar with the document, the memo was issued last month and gives military planners more flexibility to prioritize American defense readiness over continued support for Kyiv.
Although Trump has approved the sale of U.S. arms to Ukraine through NATO, officials within the Pentagon have expressed concern about depleting critical inventories particularly air defense systems, interceptor missiles, and artillery ammunition at a time of rising global threats.
This internal shift in U.S. policy could weaken Ukraine’s military position at a pivotal moment and further complicate its negotiating power, should peace talks gain momentum.
Arctic Optics: Why Alaska?
The selection of Alaska for the summit, while surprising, has been described by Russian officials as “symbolic and practical.” Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, noted that only four kilometers separate Russia from Alaska across the Bering Strait, calling the location an ideal setting for rekindling dialogue between the two nations.
Dmitriev also floated the idea of expanding U.S.-Russia cooperation in the Arctic, a region rich in resources but increasingly militarized as geopolitical tensions rise.
What Comes Next?
While neither Trump nor Putin has publicly confirmed the full scope of their proposed agreement, the political and diplomatic stakes of the Alaska summit are enormous. Any deal struck without Ukrainian participation or European backing is likely to face strong resistance from NATO allies and human rights advocates, who view Russia’s invasion as a blatant violation of international law.
For Zelensky, the prospect of being sidelined in talks that could redraw Ukraine’s borders without its consent is unacceptable. For Trump, the summit offers an opportunity to present himself as a dealmaker capable of ending a grinding war. For Putin, it could be a chance to legitimize his battlefield gains while avoiding further economic pressure.
With the world watching closely, the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska may be one of the most consequential geopolitical meetings in recent history. But whether it brings peace, provokes outrage, or triggers new conflicts remains to be seen.
