Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited London on March 14, 2024, to rally European support ahead of a crucial summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for March 15 in Anchorage, Alaska. With ongoing concerns over potential agreements that could compromise Ukrainian territory, Zelenskiy’s visit aimed to reinforce alliances and set clear expectations for the discussions.
The summit comes at a critical juncture in the Ukraine conflict, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. As Russian forces have made recent gains, including a reported advance of about 10 kilometers near Dobropillia in the Donetsk region, Zelenskiy and his allies are eager to prevent any deal that might leave Ukraine vulnerable to further aggression.
Zelenskiy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to build upon momentum from earlier discussions with European leaders. Their meeting at Downing Street followed a virtual conference on March 13 that included Trump. During their talks, Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of maintaining strong European and transatlantic unity.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated, “Yesterday was a pivotal moment for reinforcing European and transatlantic unity. We need peace through strength as a foundation for the future of global security and stability.” Zelenskiy expressed concern that Putin is “bluffing” about his commitment to peace, urging Trump to consider security guarantees for Ukraine in any postwar settlement.
Trump has taken a hard stance, warning of “severe consequences” for Putin if the summit does not yield progress. While specifics on these consequences were not disclosed, the former president mentioned the possibility of economic sanctions should the meeting fail to produce a constructive outcome.
Discussions on security guarantees reportedly took place during the call between Trump and Zelenskiy. Sources close to the situation indicated that Trump suggested the U.S. could offer guarantees under certain conditions. The dynamics of the upcoming summit raise questions about how much leverage Ukraine will have, given Russia’s previous insistence on terms that include Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions that it claims.
Zelenskiy and European leaders are particularly concerned about any proposals for a land swap that might legitimize Russia’s territorial gains. Such a move could embolden further Russian advances into Ukraine and potentially destabilize the broader European region.
The Russian delegation at the summit will include special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund. Dmitriev has previously engaged in discussions with Trump’s team regarding possible business cooperation between the two nations.
Trump’s agreement to participate in the summit marks a significant shift in his approach, following weeks of criticism directed at Putin for resisting U.S. peace initiatives. As conditions for a ceasefire, Putin has demanded that Ukraine formally renounce its NATO aspirations, a proposal Kyiv has firmly rejected, viewing it as an unacceptable capitulation.
As the summit approaches, the stakes remain high for Ukraine, and the outcomes could shape the future of the ongoing conflict. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
