Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited London on March 14, 2024, just one day before a pivotal summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskiy’s visit aimed to rally European support to ensure no agreements are made that would compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The upcoming summit in Anchorage, Alaska, is set against the backdrop of a challenging phase for Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the war has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities and displaced millions. As Ukrainian forces face tough conditions on the battlefield, Zelenskiy and his allies are keen to prevent any deals that could leave Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression.
During his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, Zelenskiy sought to reinforce momentum from prior discussions with European leaders. The focus was on establishing clear boundaries for the upcoming negotiations between Trump and Putin. The two leaders embraced before their talks, underscoring the solidarity between Ukraine and the UK.
On March 13, Trump warned of “severe consequences” should Putin fail to engage in meaningful peace discussions regarding Ukraine. While the specifics of these consequences were not disclosed, Trump indicated that economic sanctions could be on the table if the meeting did not yield results. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the day as “pivotal” for European and transatlantic unity, emphasizing the need for “peace through strength” as a foundation for future global security.
Zelenskiy relayed his concerns to Trump, suggesting that Putin was merely “bluffing” about his willingness to end the conflict. Trump appeared receptive to the idea of providing security guarantees in a postwar settlement, with discussions indicating potential conditions for such support. A source familiar with the discussions mentioned that security guarantees were a focal point during the call.
Further complicating the situation, Zelenskiy confirmed that Russian forces had advanced approximately 10 kilometers near the town of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. In response to manpower challenges, Ukraine was compelled to deploy reserves to stabilize the front lines. The outcome of the virtual conference and Trump’s remarks may offer some encouragement to Kyiv as it navigates these turbulent waters.
As the summit approaches, Trump has described his aim as “setting the table” for a follow-up meeting that would include Zelenskiy. However, Russia is anticipated to resist Ukraine and Europe’s demands. Previously, Putin outlined conditions for a ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions claimed by Russia. Kyiv swiftly dismissed these conditions as tantamount to surrender.
A source also confirmed that Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s special envoy and head of the RDIF sovereign wealth fund, will participate in the summit. Dmitriev has previously engaged in discussions with Trump’s special envoy regarding potential business cooperation between the two nations.
Trump’s agreement to the summit marks a notable shift after a period of frustration with Putin over his resistance to US-led peace initiatives. The evolving dynamics of the negotiations could significantly impact the future of Ukraine amid ongoing conflict, raising concerns about potential land swaps that could legitimize Russia’s territorial gains.
As Zelenskiy continues his diplomatic efforts, the world watches closely, knowing that the outcomes of such high-stakes discussions could alter the course of the war and the fate of Ukraine.
