**US President Excludes Ukraine Leader from Upcoming Summit with Putin**
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not participate in his upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit is scheduled to take place on August 15 in Alaska.
During a press conference on August 11, Trump stated that Zelensky was not invited to the meeting and that he didn’t think it would be beneficial for him to attend anyway. “He wasn’t part of it,” Trump said. “I would say he could go, but he’s gone to a lot of meetings; he’s been there for three and a half years, and nothing happened.”
This decision has raised eyebrows in Ukraine, where many were hoping that the US President would take a more proactive role in helping to resolve the conflict with Russia. The war in eastern Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.
Trump’s comments also seem to suggest that he believes Zelensky is not doing enough to move forward on the conflict. “Ultimately, I’m going to put the two of them (Putin and Zelensky) in a room, I’ll be there or I won’t be there, and I think it’ll get solved,” Trump said.
**What does this mean for Ukraine?**
The decision not to invite Zelensky to the summit is seen as a blow to Ukraine’s efforts to gain international support for its cause. The country has been seeking recognition of its sovereignty and an end to Russian aggression, but so far, it has had limited success in getting the international community on board.
By excluding Zelensky from the summit, Trump appears to be giving Putin a free hand to negotiate with the US without having to take into account Ukraine’s concerns. This could lead to a situation where Russia is able to dictate terms that are unfavorable to Ukraine, further exacerbating the conflict.
**What does this say about Trump’s priorities?**
Trump’s decision not to invite Zelensky to the summit also raises questions about his priorities in the region. While he has been vocal about his desire to improve relations with Russia, it seems that he is willing to overlook Ukraine’s concerns and needs in order to do so.
This could be seen as a sign that Trump is more interested in getting along with Putin than in supporting Ukraine, which has been a key US ally in the region. As such, this decision may have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine’s ability to secure international support and protection from Russian aggression.
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