Camilla Jessen
Ukrainian President criticizes exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks, as deadly strikes on Ukraine intensify.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says President Trump’s recent summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska was a win for Moscow.
A Meeting Without Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced sharp criticism of last month’s summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.
Speaking to ABC News in an interview published on Sept. 7, Zelensky called the meeting a diplomatic gift to the Kremlin and lamented Ukraine’s exclusion.
Trump Gave Putin “What He Wanted”
“It’s a pity that Ukraine was not there, because I think that President Trump gave… Putin what he wanted,” Zelensky told ABC, referring to the Aug. 15 meeting.
This was also Putin’s first visit to the U.S. since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Putin’s First U.S. Visit Since 2022
The Anchorage summit marked a symbolic moment for the Russian leader, who remains under international sanctions and diplomatic isolation by many Western countries.
Images of Putin on U.S. soil were widely circulated in Russian state media as a sign of restored legitimacy.
“Putin doesn’t want to meet with me,” Zelensky said. “But he wants very much to meet with the president of the United States, to show everybody video and images that he is there.”
Zelensky Still Open to Talks
Zelensky reiterated that he remains willing to meet Putin for direct negotiations, but only under neutral and secure conditions.
Talks earlier this year in Istanbul collapsed, and a Russian proposal for a meeting in Moscow was dismissed by Ukraine.
“He can come to Kyiv,” Zelensky said. “I can’t go to Moscow when my country’s under missiles, under attack, each day. I can’t go to the capital of this terrorist.”
Russia Presses Maximalist Demands
While global leaders continue to press for a diplomatic solution, the Kremlin’s stance remains unchanged.
Russia continues to demand that Ukraine be barred from joining NATO and that it relinquish full control of the Donetsk region—including parts it still holds.
These demands, combined with intensified air strikes across Ukrainian cities, have dimmed hopes for an imminent ceasefire.
A Record Night of Attacks
On the night of Sept. 7, Russia launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukraine, according to Zelensky.
“Putin’s goal is to occupy Ukraine,” he told ABC. “Until he can do it, the victory is on our side. So that’s why for us to survive is a victory.”
The strike involved 810 drones and 13 missiles, making it one of the deadliest nights since the war began.
Trump Responds with Threats
Following the overnight assault, President Trump warned of harsher economic consequences for Russia.
He announced plans to move into a “second phase” of sanctions but did not offer specifics or a timeline.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has issued several threats of expanded sanctions but has yet to introduce new measures targeting Moscow directly.
Secondary Tariffs Target India
The only significant action to date was in August, when the Trump administration imposed secondary tariffs on India for its continued import of Russian oil.
However, Indian officials dismissed the pressure, saying it would not affect their purchases.
Trump also mentioned that “certain European leaders” would visit the White House within days to discuss a possible peace framework, though no details were provided.
