**Ukraine Won’t Let Russia Deceive America, Zelensky Says Ahead of Upcoming Trump-Putin Summit**
As the United States and Russia prepare for a crucial meeting on August 15, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that his country will not let Russia deceive America. In an evening address on August 10, Zelensky said that Russia’s aim is to “deceive” the US in upcoming peace negotiations.
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place in Alaska, where they will discuss a Russian peace proposal. This proposal reportedly involves Kyiv ceding new territories to Moscow. Ukraine has been in constant communication with partners in the US on how to secure peace, Zelensky said.
“We understand the Russians’ intention to try to deceive America — we will not allow this,” Zelensky stated.
**Russia’s True Intentions**
Zelensky commended Trump’s commitment to saving lives and said that the “only root cause” of the ongoing war is Putin’s desire for conquest. This aligns with Ukraine’s long-standing claim that Russia’s invasion was a deliberate attempt to capture territory, not a response to any legitimate concerns.
“We in Ukraine know Russia well, and that is why, in extremely difficult conditions, Ukrainians have endured more than three years of full-scale war. We will definitely defend our state and our independence,” Zelensky said.
**Sanctions and Pressure Needed**
The President emphasized the need for sanctions and pressure to stop Russia’s aggression. “If Russia does not want to stop the war, then we must stop its economy,” he urged. Kyiv is collaborating intensively with international partners who respect international law to mount pressure on Russia and achieve a just peace.
**A Counterproposal from Ukraine**
Sources close to Ukraine’s Presidential Office revealed that Trump and Putin plan to discuss a Russian proposal involving Kyiv withdrawing from two regions partly occupied by Russian forces, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. However, Ukraine will reject this plan outright. The source also confirmed that Europe aims to draw a unified red line with Ukraine, insisting that EU officials should be involved in any potential peace negotiation with Russia.
While the meeting between Trump and Putin is not currently set to include Zelensky, sources told CNN that Zelensky’s participation in trilateral talks in Alaska is still possible. One White House official said meetings including Zelensky would likely happen after the face-to-face between Trump and Putin.
**A Deal with “Some Swapping of Territories”**
Trump previously suggested that a deal to end the war might include “some swapping of territories.” This echoes Ukraine’s own concerns about Russia’s intentions. However, as reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Ukrainian and European officials have rejected Putin’s plan and offered a counterproposal instead.
**Conclusion**
As the US and Russia prepare for their meeting, Ukraine remains resolute in its stance against Russian aggression. Zelensky’s warning serves as a reminder that the international community must remain vigilant and united to prevent Russia from deceiving America or compromising Ukrainian sovereignty.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
