Alaska summit - Kyiv wants peace but not at any cost, says EU ambassador to Ukraine

The diplomat noted that while the world looks to the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska with hope for a ceasefire, Russian forces continue to "act as usual" — killing civilians.

"Last night in the Kherson region. Seven dead. Nine injured. More than 100 destroyed homes. And when the rescuers were removing dead bodies, a Russian drone struck again, injuring three officers," she said.

Maternova pointed out that tomorrow’s summit in the state of Alaska will take place without representatives from Ukraine or other European countries.

However, in her view, Ukraine must decide all existential questions about its future and the end of the war itself — with security guarantees from its friends and allies — "otherwise, Putin will strike again."

The diplomat stressed that "Ukraine wants peace — but not at any cost."

"I truly hope that the United States and President Trump will keep this in mind tomorrow. In the name of today’s Ukrainian victims — and all the others killed in Russian attacks," Maternova said.

US–Russia summit in Alaska

On Friday, August 15, at the Elmendorf–Richardson military base in Anchorage, Alaska, US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold talks.

The central topic of the meeting will be a ceasefire and the end of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Trump estimated the chances of the meeting with the Russian leader failing at 25%.

Following the Alaska meeting, a trilateral summit is planned with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and representatives of European countries.

Overall, Trump does not rule out the possibility of a swift peace if the negotiations with Putin and Zelenskyy are successful.

At the same time, the US president is convinced that Putin will not mess around with him during the Alaska meeting.