Alaska summit to test Ukraine sovereignty

Ukraine and its European backers say decisions on land swaps must involve Kyiv and cannot be made behind their backs at the Alaska summit.

Europe says US-Russia summit cannot decide on Ukraine land swaps

BRUSSELS and Washington are watching a delicate moment unfold ahead of the Alaska summit. President Donald Trump floated the idea that a peace deal could include territorial swaps, a suggestion that Europe says should not be decided without Ukraine. European officials note that Kyiv and many European partners are not invited to the talks, and ministers will discuss the issue in Brussels next week.

EU foreign ministers gather after talks between U.S. and European security advisers. They warn that President Putin may use the summit to claim a political victory by portraying Ukraine as inflexible. European and Ukrainian leaders stress that any changes to borders would undermine sovereignty and international law. Russia’s 2022 moves to seize parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and its ongoing control of Crimea, complicate any discussion on land.

On the front line, the conflict remains costly. UN estimates show thousands of Ukrainian civilians have died in this war. NATO partners say a durable peace must rest on Ukraine’s sovereignty, with security guarantees and a verified ceasefire. Zelenskyy calls for a halt to fighting first, while Europe backs him. Some leaders say future land arrangements should be decided with Ukraine’s participation, not behind its back, and any agreement must not be forced on Kyiv.

This moment tests the gap between international law and strategic reality. Western leaders insist that any talks about land must privilege Ukraine’s sovereignty and consent, while signaling a willingness to discuss security guarantees that could shape long-term peace. The Alaska frame risks normalizing border changes through negotiation rather than consent, which could erode public trust in both Kyiv and its European backers. If Moscow can frame a deal as a concession that rewards aggression, it could weaken unity among allies and complicate future NATO and EU orientation for Ukraine.

At stake is not just land but legitimacy. Moscow may seek a quick political win, while Kyiv must balance homeland defense with the political reality of a protracted war. For European publics, the question is whether support for Ukraine remains unwavering as curiosity about concessions grows. The path forward likely hinges on a ceasefire, credible security guarantees, and a Ukrainian-led process that preserves sovereignty and alignment with Western institutions.

Highlights

The Alaska moment will reveal how far Western allies are willing to go to secure a lasting peace without compromising Ukraine’s independence.