Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may attend this week's US-Russia summit in Alaska, the US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said Sunday, as the White House considers inviting him to the August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
When asked on CNN if Zelenskyy might join Trump and Putin on Friday, ambassador Matthew Whitaker responded, "Yes, I definitely think it's possible.”
“Any deal must have the agreement of all involved parties. Ending this war is clearly a top priority,” he added, as quoted by AFP.
The summit, currently scheduled without Zelensky’s attendance, has raised concerns that any agreement might require Ukraine to cede large parts of its territory — a demand firmly rejected by the European Union .
In recent days, Zelensky has been actively engaging in diplomacy, holding phone calls with 13 world leaders, including key allies Germany, Britain, and France.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope on Sunday that Zelenskyy would attend the summit, saying he “hoped and assumed” the Ukrainian president would be present.
Whitaker emphasised that the final decision rests with Trump. “If he thinks that that is the best scenario to invite Zelenskyy, then he will do that,” Whitaker said, while noting that “no decision has been made to this point.”
It remains unclear whether Putin and Zelensky would meet face-to-face if Zelenskyy does attend the Alaska summit, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The White House initially insisted that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy be a condition for Trump’s talks with the Russian leader, but Trump later stated that such a meeting was not essential.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, tens of thousands have died and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The urgency to end the conflict remains a high priority for all involved parties.
When asked on CNN if Zelenskyy might join Trump and Putin on Friday, ambassador Matthew Whitaker responded, "Yes, I definitely think it's possible.”
“Any deal must have the agreement of all involved parties. Ending this war is clearly a top priority,” he added, as quoted by AFP.
The summit, currently scheduled without Zelensky’s attendance, has raised concerns that any agreement might require Ukraine to cede large parts of its territory — a demand firmly rejected by the European Union .
In recent days, Zelensky has been actively engaging in diplomacy, holding phone calls with 13 world leaders, including key allies Germany, Britain, and France.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed hope on Sunday that Zelenskyy would attend the summit, saying he “hoped and assumed” the Ukrainian president would be present.
Whitaker emphasised that the final decision rests with Trump. “If he thinks that that is the best scenario to invite Zelenskyy, then he will do that,” Whitaker said, while noting that “no decision has been made to this point.”
It remains unclear whether Putin and Zelensky would meet face-to-face if Zelenskyy does attend the Alaska summit, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The White House initially insisted that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy be a condition for Trump’s talks with the Russian leader, but Trump later stated that such a meeting was not essential.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, tens of thousands have died and millions have been forced to flee their homes. The urgency to end the conflict remains a high priority for all involved parties.
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