Skepticism and anxiety are rising across Ukraine, from military veterans to civilian leaders alike, that this summit may sideline Ukraine and allow Russia to seize more land under the pretence of peace.Frontline Voices Suggest that Putin Will Fool Trump A Ukrainian serviceman known only by his initials ‘Taras’ made clear his pessimism in an honest remark: “No miracles… Putin will try to convince Trump it’s Ukraine who don’t want peace”. Taras cautioned that Putin is using Trump’s peace-seeker persona to gain concessions without meaningful compromise; Russia continues its pressure against eastern Ukraine to achieve strategic dominance ahead of winter, Taras stated. Al Jazeera +1 Analysts warn of a ceasefire deal being detrimental to Ukraine by ceasing drone strikes and permitting Russia to regroup militarily; Al Jazeera and The Washington Post both report this risk. Diplomatic Exclusion Raise Concern The summit format has caused significant discord. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly rejected any deal reached without Kyiv’s direct participation and called them “dead decisions.” He maintained that Ukraine’s Constitution forbids territorial relinquishment and that peace talks must involve Ukraine instead of excluding it, such as Al Jazeera’s, Time, The Guardian etc’s coverage has confirmed this view. European leaders echoed this position, emphasizing in joint statements that any path towards peace must be inclusive and uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty. A European counterproposal insists on an immediate ceasefire as well as refusing territorial concessions without reciprocity (The Guardian +1). Mistrust of Trump’s Approach Runs Deep Many Ukrainians harbor deep mistrust of Donald Trump’s approach–and his past rhetoric–when it comes to Ukraine. They point out his shifting policies, his history of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty, and dealings that frequently echo Russia’s positions. Trump’s openness toward land swap negotiations has compounded such fears; Financial Times. Odesa’s retired colonel delivered a pointed analysis: Trump has failed us time after time… those who believe otherwise are foolhardy.” His comments reflect widespread disappointment: hopes for peace have given way to fears that Western aid may evaporate into mere diplomatic window dressing, according to Al Jazeera. Experts note that Putin sees any summit appearance in Alaska as a symbolic victory, symbolizing equality with America and legitimacy on the global stage. Meanwhile, President Trump’s eagerness for summit talks puts Ukraine in an uncomfortable diplomatic situation: their war is being discussed without their voice being represented on any negotiations panel, according to Al Jazeera, POLITICO, or The Guardian. Conclusion Ukrainians remain wary of the Alaska summit–not for its potential peace-making promise but for its risk of compromise. With territorial losses and exclusion from negotiations looming large in Kyiv’s mind, Kyiv remains vigilant as an analyst warned. According to him, any deal which sees Russia consolidate gains while leaving Ukraine vulnerable would constitute strategic surrender rather than peace.
