KEY POINTS
- President Trump stated he will not negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, insisting that any decisions regarding territory swaps are up to Kyiv.
- Trump claimed that his presidency is the reason Russian President Vladimir Putin has not already seized all of Ukraine.
- The summit’s main goal is to facilitate future talks, with Trump aiming to “set the table” for a potential follow-up meeting that would include Ukraine’s president.
President Trump stated Friday that he would not negotiate on behalf of Ukraine during his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, asserting that any decisions regarding territory swaps would be up to Kyiv. Speaking from Air Force One en route to the meeting, Trump also claimed that if he had not been president, Putin would have already seized all of Ukraine.
President Trump’s Stance on Ukraine
During his remarks to reporters, Trump asserted, “[Vladimir Putin] wanted to take all of Ukraine. If I wasn’t president, he would right now be taking all of Ukraine. But he’s not going to do it.” This statement frames his perceived role in preventing a full-scale Russian takeover of the country.
Territorial Discussions and Negotiation Role
When questioned about the potential for territory swaps, Trump clarified that such decisions would ultimately rest with Ukraine. “They’ll be discussed, but I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision. And I think they’ll make a proper decision. But I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table,” he explained, positioning himself as a facilitator rather than a direct negotiator for Kyiv.
Pre-Summit Dynamics and Future Meetings
The President also addressed reports of continued Russian strikes in Ukraine occurring just hours before the summit. He interpreted these actions as a negotiating tactic by Putin, suggesting that the Russian leader was “trying to set a stage” to secure a better deal, though Trump believed it would ultimately be counterproductive. He indicated he would discuss the matter with Putin.
Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not scheduled to attend the immediate U.S.-Russia meeting. However, Trump has previously floated the idea of a follow-up meeting that would include all three leaders.
Trump has forecast a “25 percent chance” his talks with Putin would not be successful, describing his primary goal for the Friday meeting as being to “set the table for the next meeting.”
Trump’s statements underscore his defined role for the summit: to facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, rather than to directly negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf, while also offering his perspective on Russia’s intentions and the broader diplomatic landscape.
