By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, slated for August 15th in Alaska, may include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A White House official indicated that the final arrangements for the summit are still fluid, leaving open the possibility of Zelenskyy’s involvement. Initially, Trump expressed openness to meeting with both leaders, but later suggested a meeting solely with Putin. Notably, reports suggest that Putin may demand territorial concessions from Ukraine in exchange for ending hostilities.
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Zelenskyy may join Putin-Trump summit on 15 August – CBS News – Wow, this is shaping up to be a real geopolitical spectacle, isn’t it? The idea of a summit between Putin, Trump, and Zelenskyy is certainly generating a lot of buzz and, frankly, a healthy dose of apprehension. It’s not hard to imagine that this could be a high-stakes diplomatic game with a lot of potential pitfalls. Some see it as a genuine attempt at peace, while others are already predicting a chaotic and possibly dangerous outcome for Ukraine.
The very notion of a summit like this raises a lot of questions, particularly concerning the absence of Ukraine from the initial negotiations. It seems that Trump might attempt to recreate a disastrous scenario as witnessed in the Oval Office, and that Zelenskyy is walking into a potential minefield. There’s a palpable concern that Trump, with his well-documented affinity for Putin, might try to pressure Zelenskyy into making concessions that would be detrimental to Ukraine’s sovereignty. The fear is that the summit could be used as a platform for Trump to legitimize Putin’s actions and undermine Ukraine’s position. This could lead to an uncomfortable situation for Zelenskyy, playing a very difficult diplomatic game, hoping to avoid giving Trump any reason to side with the invading forces.
The core issue, of course, is the ongoing war and the territories Russia currently occupies. The concern is that Trump will view any stance by Zelenskyy to hold onto Ukrainian lands as an unreasonable position. The implications could be dire. There’s even speculation that Trump’s involvement might unintentionally or intentionally extend the war. It’s a very unsettling prospect, to imagine that such an important decision is being brokered between two powerful figures without the direct participation of the nation whose fate hangs in the balance.
The potential outcomes here are varied and, honestly, a bit nerve-wracking. There’s talk of the summit being a set-up for a political show, with Trump aiming to score points and possibly even angling for a Nobel Peace Prize. Others are worried about Zelenskyy’s personal safety, given the unpredictable nature of the situation and the potential for underhanded tactics. Some suggest that Putin will ultimately not attend, as he is afraid of being made a fool on a world stage, and if Zelenskyy does make an appearance, Putin’s attendance becomes less likely. There are fears of betrayal and underhandedness.
Then there are those who feel that Zelenskyy is the only one who stands to lose, being forced to negotiate from a position of weakness. The prospect of a forced land swap, giving up eastern Ukraine for some sort of promised benefit, is deeply concerning. The potential for Trump to be manipulated by Putin, to prioritize his own interests, is a major fear. The suggestion that Zelenskyy might be forced to make impossible choices is a dark one, and the worry that Trump’s involvement will only serve to weaken Ukraine’s position is widespread.
Many people suggest that the summit should include the NATO chief for a more balanced discussion. The idea of a two-versus-two approach, where the victim is present, provides an interesting perspective. There are suggestions that Zelenskyy should be prepared for anything, even bringing the Epstein Files to expose certain players. Given the political sensitivities, and the potential risks, this event could easily turn into a complete disaster.
The underlying feeling is one of deep distrust. There’s a strong sentiment that Trump might not have Ukraine’s best interests at heart, and that his actions could inadvertently help Russia. There is also discussion of all types of plots, from potential assassinations, to earthquakes and tsunamis. Given the potential for this situation to go south, any outcome seems possible. The general consensus seems to be that the whole thing is a potential shitshow.