Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted that “real peace must be achieved” in the ongoing war with Russia, warning against what he called “just another pause between Russian invasions.”
His statement came after US President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for high-stakes talks aimed at addressing the conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy was not invited to the summit, a decision that drew criticism from Kyiv.
Trump later said that all parties had agreed to pursue a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, sidestepping an immediate ceasefire deal. He described the discussions as “productive” but did not provide further specifics.
Zelenskyy spoke with Trump by phone earlier in the week, emphasising that any agreement must be genuine. “Sanctions should be strengthened [against Russia] if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war,” he reportedly told the US president.
The Ukrainian leader is set to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, with hopes of advancing discussions and ensuring Ukraine has a voice in negotiations. Kyiv and Washington are reportedly advocating for a trilateral summit involving Trump, Zelenskyy, and Putin, though the Kremlin has not yet confirmed participation.
Analysts note that excluding Ukraine from the Alaska talks raises concerns about the effectiveness of any future agreement. Without Kyiv’s direct involvement, any accord could risk being temporary or skewed in favour of Russia, according to international observers.
Since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukraine has suffered significant casualties and territorial losses, while sanctions imposed by Western nations have sought to pressure Russia into halting military operations. Zelenskyy’s call for “real peace” underscores the urgency of achieving a sustainable resolution rather than short-term pauses in hostilities.
Moscow, for its part, has emphasised its willingness to negotiate but has not publicly committed to a trilateral meeting with both the US and Ukraine present. This leaves the international community closely watching developments and calling for diplomacy that includes all key stakeholders.
Zelenskyy’s office has reiterated that Ukraine will continue to defend its sovereignty and push for accountability, stressing that peace cannot come at the expense of territorial integrity or the rights of its citizens.
Observers have noted that any genuine progress will require coordinated efforts between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow, alongside sustained international pressure, including sanctions enforcement and multilateral engagement.
The coming week is expected to be critical, with Zelenskyy’s Washington meeting seen as an opportunity to clarify Ukraine’s position, seek guarantees, and outline the steps necessary to prevent further escalations.
Despite the uncertainties, Zelenskyy has called on global partners to maintain focus on long-term peace, warning that temporary pauses or half-measures will not prevent future aggression.
M10News will continue to monitor updates from Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow as negotiations unfold, highlighting efforts to secure a lasting resolution to one of Europe’s most severe conflicts in decades.
