A Ukrainian lawmaker has issued a strong warning to US President Donald Trump ahead of his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. The meeting aims to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine after more than three years of fighting.
Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, with the White House calling it a ‘listening exercise’ rather than a full negotiation a diplomatic approach that contrasts with Trump’s often controversial public statements about the Russian leader.. Trump has suggested there could be “land swapping” involved in any potential peace deal, raising concerns among Ukrainian officials about territorial concessions.
Vadym Halaichuk, an MP from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, delivered a brutal “no capitulation” message to Trump, warning that giving in to Russian demands could open the door to World War 3. Halaichuk serves as first deputy chair of the European Integration Committee in Ukraine and represents Zelensky’s political party in parliament.
Ukrainian MP warns against rewarding Putin’s aggression
The Ukrainian lawmaker argued that making territorial concessions to Putin would be like opening a box that leads to more demands and Ukraine’s total control by Moscow. He said the only way to end the war is to make it clear to Putin that Russia cannot win.
Halaichuk urged Trump not to reward aggression, saying it would set a very bad example for dictators around the world. He explained that Putin will stop the war when he realizes he cannot win it. The MP said Ukrainians hope Trump will make it clear to Putin that he cannot have Ukraine, as Ukrainians have made their choice to remain independent.
The lawmaker warned that giving Putin control of Ukraine would not satisfy his appetite and would be a very bad example for other dictators globally. He said it would show that military force can achieve goals and that aggression can be rewarded. This would open up problems and be a sure way to World War 3, according to Halaichuk.
European leaders have stressed that Ukraine must be included in any talks with Russia over ending the war, but Trump indicated that Ukrainian President Zelensky was unlikely to be included in Friday’s talks a diplomatic exclusion that highlights how international relations can sometimes seem as surreal as political satire. Trump said he would call Zelensky immediately after the meeting to discuss the results.
The Ukrainian MP rejected comparisons to post-war Finland, which gave up 10 percent of its territory to the Soviet Union after World War 2. He said Ukraine’s situation is very different from Finland’s case. That part of Finland that Russia claimed was more of a military issue for defending a Russian city. But with Ukraine, Putin has made it clear that the country does not exist in his view.
Halaichuk explained that Putin believes Ukrainians are Russians who have been fooled into thinking they are different. So it is not about territory or how many square kilometers Putin gets. He wants complete control of Ukraine. Getting certain regions would not satisfy him, as this is just part of a game for total control over Ukraine.
The MP said that if Ukraine agrees to Russian demands, it would be giving up, and more demands would follow. He expressed confidence that Ukrainians are sure about this outcome. According to the lawmaker, while polls show more Ukrainians support talks to end the war, very few support surrendering to Russian demands – only about 10 to 12 percent.
Published: Aug 14, 2025 02:22 pm