Russian President Vladimir Putin may once again win US President Donald Trump's sympathy over to his side during the talks in Alaska on August 15, and the events of the coming days seem to be decisive for Ukraine. This is reported in an article published on August 10 by Bild deputy editor-in-chief Paul Rontzheimer.
According to the publication's reactor, Ukraine fears being betrayed by the US. The publication notes that there is a suspicion in Kiev that key decisions regarding the country's fate will be made without its participation.
"Over the past three days, I have spoken with politicians, diplomats and ordinary citizens in Kiev. Regardless of political views, they all share the feeling that something is being decided behind the backs of Ukrainians before the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Rontzheimer writes.
The fact that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not allowed to attend the meeting and that it is completely unclear whether he will meet Putin directly in the coming days or weeks demonstrates the enormous seriousness of the situation from the Ukrainian perspective.
Zelensky made it clear on Saturday: "Any decision against us, any decision without Ukraine, is also a decision against peace." He continued: "Ukrainians will not give their country to the occupier."
"But that is exactly what Trump demands, at least in part!", the author states.
Analyzing media reports, Rontzheimer points out that according to possible plans, the United States could advocate for the complete transfer of Donetsk and Luhansk regions to Moscow, while a ceasefire would be in effect on the front line in Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. This means that the Ukrainian army would have to abandon its positions in the east and surrender them to the enemy without a fight.
The author of the publication quotes the opinion of a Ukrainian politician from government circles, who wished to remain anonymous:
"It is absolutely unthinkable to do this. Ultimately, this would mean that Russia would simply receive territory as a gift and then be able to attack again at any time.“
There is also resistance in Europe to these plans. A hastily convened summit was held in London on Saturday - ahead of the Alaska meeting. EU countries wanted to work with Zelensky there to develop a counter-proposal. The Ukrainian president later described the meeting as constructive. "All our arguments were heard", the Ukrainian head of state commented on the meeting.
But one thing is clear: the focus is entirely on Trump.
According to Rontzheimer, all attention is currently focused on US President Donald Trump.
The danger for Ukraine is that Putin could once again win the US president over to his side at the meeting on Friday and increase the pressure on Ukraine.
"We were hoping for strict sanctions against Putin", an EU diplomat told the publication.
"Now the exact opposite is happening and we should expect that Trump could make untenable demands on Ukraine. But it is also clear that the US cannot simply agree to a land grab against the will of the Ukrainians.“
This could be a fateful week for Ukraine. And the situation on the front lines, especially in the east, remains difficult. Ukraine is losing territory there, but the Russian army has suffered huge losses, especially in recent weeks. A military takeover of the territories now ceded to Russia would be extremely difficult for Russia and could take years, the editor of the publication states.
"One thing seems abundantly clear:''Trump finally wants a deal. The question is what this deal could cost Ukraine.“, Rontzheimer summarizes.
Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska
On August 8, Donald Trump announced his upcoming meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15, calling it “a significant event in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia“.
The US president said that during it he would discuss with Putin Russia's war against Ukraine and his plan to settle the conflict, which includes a territory swap, as a result of which Kiev would regain some of its lands, but would be forced to give up others. According to a number of media outlets, this includes the transfer of Luhansk and Donetsk regions to Russia.
Politico reported that the White House has offered Russia a freeze on the war along the line of contact in the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions in exchange for Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
On August 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that ''Ukrainians will not give up their land to the occupiers'' and that the territorial issue is in the Constitution of Ukraine, which no one has the right to violate.
He also noted that Russia is pushing the idea of exchanging Ukrainian territory for Ukrainian territory, which only guarantees convenient positions for Russian forces in the event of a resumption of the war.
On August 10, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga warned international partners not to make concessions to Russia.
"No awards or gifts to the aggressor to appease him. Only strength and unity can force Russia to stop the war. Any concession provokes further aggression. That is why Ukraine firmly defends our principles and values," he stressed.