- In a Kyiv interview, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last month’s Alaska summit elevated Vladimir Putin without extracting meaningful concessions.
- Zelenskyy said a trilateral format including Ukraine could have produced results and called for higher costs on Russia.
- Reports describe proposals involving Donetsk and Luhansk; details remain based on sourced reporting and are not independently verified by Virginia Times.
The Big Picture
In an interview at the Presidential Palace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin “gave a lot to Putin” and allowed the Kremlin leader to edge out of political isolation without paying a commensurate price, telling Sky News’ Yalda Hakim that a trilateral setting including Ukraine might have yielded progress in the interview.
What’s New
Zelenskyy said Putin seeks public dialogue and photo-ops to normalize his standing while the war continues. He argued Russia should face greater costs for diplomacy conducted amid ongoing strikes. He also noted that a proposed direct meeting between him and Putin has not materialized. Claims about proposals tied to Donetsk and Luhansk have been reported by multiple outlets citing sources; Virginia Times presents those as reported claims, not established facts.
What They’re Saying
Context
The full-scale Russian invasion entered its fourth year in 2025. After the Alaska summit, reports said Ukraine might be asked to withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for other limits or freezes along the front. Separately, tensions rose with incidents involving Russian drones near or over NATO members; those accounts rely on official statements and media reporting and remain subject to confirmation.
What’s Next
Zelenskyy has called for full implementation of air-defense and missile supply agreements ahead of winter, citing urgent needs as Ukraine prepares for another challenging season. In recent remarks, he outlined priorities through October, including carrying out decisions from the Ramstein format and agreements with partners in Washington and Paris. “Prior to winter, we have to strictly implement all agreements on the supply of air defense equipment, missiles for them, and purchase contracts,” he said in a message published on the presidential website.
The Bottom Line
Zelenskyy’s message is that optics without concessions risk normalizing Russia’s position. He wants any diplomacy to include Ukraine and to impose tangible costs on Moscow until core issues—sovereignty, territory and security—are addressed with verifiable commitments.
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