Kiev, August 9: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected Ukraine’s participation in the upcoming US–Russia summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, set for later this month in Alaska, warning that decisions made without Ukraine “will not be conducive to peace.”

In a statement posted on social media Saturday, Zelensky stressed that Ukrainian citizens would not accept any aggression on their territory, adding, “Decisions without our participation will not be conducive to peace.” He reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for a “real and results-oriented peace process”, but insisted such talks must respect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ongoing war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Although three rounds of talks have been held this year, no binding agreement has emerged.

President Putin has thus far declined direct talks with Zelensky, while the Ukrainian leader has maintained that high-level direct dialogue is essential to achieving peace.

President Trump, who announced the Alaska summit on Friday, hinted at the possibility of territorial exchanges, though he provided no details. The meeting, scheduled for August 30, is being viewed as a key diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow, though its prospects for resolving the war remain uncertain.