‘I certainly think it’s potential,’ says the U.S. ambassador to NATO.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might attend the forthcoming assembly between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Throughout an interview with CNN that was revealed on Sunday, Whitaker was requested about whether or not Zelenskyy could be invited to the summit.
“I certainly think it’s possible,” Whitaker advised the outlet. “You know, certainly, there can’t be a deal that everybody that’s involved in it doesn’t agree to.”
Trump and Putin are scheduled to fulfill on Aug. 15 to carry talks on ending the three-year-long conflict in Ukraine, White Home officers and Trump confirmed. Trump has for weeks been threatening new sanctions in opposition to Russia for failing to place an finish to the conflict.
In response to the assembly, Zelenskyy issued a press release on X saying that the Kyiv authorities needs to be concerned.
“Any decisions that are against us, any decisions that are without Ukraine, are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not achieve anything,” Zelenskyy stated in his submit. “These are stillborn decisions. They are unworkable decisions. And we all need real and genuine peace. Peace that people will respect.”
Trump stated a possible deal would contain “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both” sides, compounding Ukrainian fears that it might face stress to give up land. Russia holds practically a fifth of the nation.
However the Ukrainian chief rejected ideas that his nation might concede territory to Russia as a part of a peace deal.
“The answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already in the constitution of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated in a assertion on Telegram Saturday. “No one will and no one can deviate from it. Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.”
Earlier Sunday, Vice President JD Vance stated in an interview with Fox Information {that a} negotiated settlement is unlikely to make both aspect completely satisfied.
“It’s not going to make anybody super happy. Both the Russians and the Ukrainians, probably, at the end of the day, are going to be unhappy with it,” he stated on Fox Information’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
Within the Fox interview recorded on Friday, Vance stated the US was working to schedule talks between Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump, however he didn’t assume it might be productive for Putin to fulfill with Zelenskyy earlier than talking with Trump.
“We’re at a point now where we’re trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that, around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict,” he stated.
In a submit issued on X this weekend, Vance stated that the Putin–Trump dialog was “to discuss a route to peace in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.” He supplied no additional particulars.
Throughout his 2024 marketing campaign, Trump stated he might finish the Ukraine–Russia conflict inside 24 hours, however to this point, a peace deal between the 2 nations has been elusive. Earlier than the assembly in Alaska was introduced, the president warned Russia that he would impose extra sanctions on Russia and financial penalties on giant buying and selling companions with Moscow.
He additionally ordered U.S. nuclear-capable submarines to be deployed nearer to Russia in response to remarks made by a former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, concerning the Kremlin’s nuclear capabilities.
Relating to the Trump–Putin assembly, Whitaker stated that he believes “direct engagement by President Trump is obviously leading us closer to a peace.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
In the event you discovered this text fascinating, please contemplate supporting conventional journalism
Our first version was revealed 25 years in the past from a basement in Atlanta. Right this moment, The Epoch Occasions brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to thousands and thousands of People.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, however our dedication to impartial journalism has by no means wavered. This 12 months marks our twenty fifth 12 months of impartial reporting, free from company and political affect.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory provide — simply $1 per week — so you possibly can be a part of thousands and thousands already celebrating impartial information.
