“Talks between Russia and the U.S. are a “personal victory” for Putin,” – Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the upcoming Russian–American summit in Alaska will be a “personal victory” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said this on Tuesday, August 12, to journalists from Agence France-Presse.

“First of all, he (Putin) will meet (with Trump) on U.S. soil, which I consider his personal victory. Secondly, he is coming out of isolation because he is holding a meeting on U.S. territory,” Zelensky said.

According to the Ukrainian head of state, the upcoming meeting has further delayed the moment when sanctions against Moscow could be adopted.

News of the summit, during which the Russian and American presidents will hold talks, emerged earlier. Donald Trump made the announcement, stating that the meeting would take place on August 15. The chosen location is the U.S. state of Alaska.

The central topic will be resolving the crisis in Ukraine, and the two leaders will also discuss other issues. Meanwhile, the White House declined to involve Zelensky in the Putin–Trump meeting.