On August 8, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, aiming to reach a so-called “peace agreement” for the Russia–Ukraine war that would include “territorial exchange.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded firmly:
“Ukraine’s Constitution clearly defines the issue of territory — no one can deviate from it. The people of Ukraine will not give their land to the occupier.”
Zelensky stressed:
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Ukraine is ready for a fair and lasting peace, but will not cede territory.
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Any agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine’s participation is a “dead solution” with no legitimacy.
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Russia started this war and is prolonging it; the only path to peace is for Russia to end its aggression and withdraw its troops.
PART 2 – A TALE OF TWO PRESIDENTS
President Joe Biden’s stance has been consistent:
“Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
(Không có gì về Ukraine mà lại không có Ukraine.)
Biden has repeatedly said that any negotiations to end the war must involve Ukraine directly, because the Ukrainian people alone have the right to decide their nation’s future.
President Donald Trump’s approach is the opposite:
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He proposes a land-for-peace swap without Ukraine’s consent.
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He frames it as ending the war quickly, but in reality, it would reward Russian aggression.
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Instead of pressuring Putin to stop the invasion, Trump pressures the victim — Ukraine — to surrender territory.
PART 3 – COMMENTARY
No one has given Trump and Putin the right to decide Ukraine’s fate.
A just peace can only come when Ukraine defeats Russia on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. The U.S. and the West must:
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Sanction Russia;
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Supply Ukraine with weapons;
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Guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.
Trump dodges all three. He refuses to spend a dime or send a single bullet, yet claims he can “end the war in 24 hours” — by forcing Ukraine to capitulate.
If Trump won’t help Ukraine, he should at least remain silent.
Pressuring the victim to cede land while shielding the aggressor is not peace — it is a betrayal.
