Mission Alaska: As Trump and Putin meet, Ukraine's redlines are clear and unmoving

Time of India

7 hours ago

Trump's and Putin's summit in Alaska today is being keenly watched around the globe. But the first face-to-face meeting between the two since 2021 is already mired in uncertainty.
From the moment it was announced, disagreements emerged over who initiated the talks. While the White House insists the proposal came from Moscow, the Kremlin has denied this, and Putin himself has downplayed the dispute by claiming both sides are 'equally interested'. This minor diplomatic manoeuvre highlights a bigger truth: the Kremlin was eager for the meeting but also intent on portraying Trump as the one who needed it more.
The talks come amid growing US frustration with Russia. After months of outreach through Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump had publicly condemned Moscow's continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians and warned of secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil. Washington has already imposed new tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian energy.
The White House officials expect the agenda to touch on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine and the parameters of a future peace agreement. They have described the meeting as a chance for Trump to hear Moscow's position on ending the war.
Yet the danger is that the meeting would resemble the Cold War-era Great-Power deals – decisions made over smaller nations without their participation. For Ukraine, this is a big issue.
In fact, Kyiv and European partners have agreed on red lines ahead of Trump-Putin talks in Alaska.
At the initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on Aug 13 negotiations were held on the eve of the Trump-Putin summit. In those negotiations, for the first time in recent weeks, the West delivered a comprehensive joint message with clear conditions for the peace process.
Any talks on ending the war must start with an immediate ceasefire along with new prisoner exchanges and the release of kidnapped childrenUkraine must be a direct participant in further negotiations after the Alaska talks Broader dialogue must be part of a single transatlantic strategy based on strong military and financial support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia Occupied territories cannot be a subject of discussion at the Anchorage summit Kyiv must receive reliable security guarantees with no demilitarisation envisioned. Although Trump has made it clear that Nato should not be part of those security guarantees, US and all willing allies should be involved in security assurances. If no progress is to be made, sanctions and other pressure on Moscow would intensify.
Merz acknowledged that Ukraine is ready to discuss territorial issues, but only starting from the current line of contact, without legal recognition of the occupation. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has stressed that a withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from Donbas 'in exchange for silence' is not under consideration. He also conveyed to Trump that Putin is bluffing – both regarding his military plans and on sanctions.
French President Macron confirmed that no discussion of territorial issues is possible without Ukraine. And Trump promised to call Zelenskyy after his meeting with Putin to determine the next steps. According to some American reports, US is already looking for a venue for a potential trilateral meeting at the end of next week.
These statements are important, as the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' must remain key.
European countries also agreed to work to arrange a future trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy. It should happen in Europe in a neutral country acceptable to all parties.
Notably, Zelenskyy also held a constructive call with Indian PM Modi this week. He briefed Modi on ongoing Russian strikes, including a recent attack on a Zaporizhzhia bus station that injured dozens of civilians. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine's participation in all talks is essential – 'other formats will not deliver results' – while welcoming India's engagement in peace efforts.
Sanctions were also discussed. Zelenskyy urged reducing Russia's revenues from oil to weaken Moscow's war financing. 'Every leader with tangible leverage over Russia should send the right signals to Moscow,' he said. The two leaders also agreed to meet in person during Sept's UN General Assembly.
The coming days will be decisive in shaping the positions of the parties at the negotiations. Worryingly for Ukraine, the likelihood that Putin will be able to persuade Trump to make excessive concessions remains quite high.
India, with its global influence and growing partnership with Ukraine, can play a vital role in ensuring that international law is the foundation for negotiations. The UN Charter cannot be bent for political convenience without undermining all nations' sovereignty.
Ukraine expects the summit to deliver real progress towards a stable, just peace that fully respects its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any proposal that demands giving up Ukrainian land is off the table. And if US military aid slows or stops, Kyiv will waste no time locking in deeper defence ties with European partners — securing weapons, air defences, intelligence, and training to keep its defences strong and its territory protected.
For Ukraine, and for the international community, the message ahead of Alaska is clear: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Ukraine will not accept peace made without it – and neither should the world. A peace that compromises Ukrainians is not a peace that will last.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.