Defiant Ukraine MP issues brutal two-word verdict on Trump Putin peace talks

 

Why Ukraine Says “No” to Capitulation – and What It Means for Trump’s Meeting with Putin

Vadym Halaichuk, a Ukrainian MP from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party, says there is only one way to end the war: make it crystal clear to Vladimir Putin that Russia cannot win.

Halaichuk’s warning comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, set to take place in Alaska on Friday. The summit’s goal is to negotiate a possible ceasefire after nearly three and a half years of brutal fighting in Ukraine.

What worries many in Kyiv is Trump’s recent suggestion that “land swapping” could be on the table. For Ukraine, this isn’t just about borders—it’s about survival.

“Giving Putin territory is like opening Pandora’s box,” Halaichuk told reporters. “Once you reward aggression, you encourage every other authoritarian leader to try the same. It won’t end the war—it will only fuel more demands. Putin will stop only when he knows he cannot win.”

Why This Isn’t Like Finland in the 1940s

Some analysts have compared Ukraine’s situation to post-World War II Finland, which ceded territory to the Soviet Union but retained its independence. Halaichuk disagrees.

“In Finland’s case, it was mainly about strategic military positions,” he explained. “With Ukraine, Putin’s goal isn’t territory—it’s total control. He’s made it clear he doesn’t even believe Ukraine is a separate nation.”

That’s why, Halaichuk argues, giving up Donetsk, Luhansk, or other occupied regions would be the first step toward complete subjugation, not peace.

What Putin Wants Now

Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya has said Putin might consider pulling Russian troops from certain regions in exchange for Ukraine withdrawing from Donetsk and Luhansk, along with freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. But his ultimate demand remains “security guarantees”—effectively making Ukraine neutral and limiting its sovereignty.

What Ukrainians Think

A Gallup poll in July showed a shift in public opinion: 69% now favor a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible, compared to 24% who want to keep fighting until complete victory. That’s a big change from 2022, when the majority wanted to fight on.

But Halaichuk says there’s still very little support for “peace at any cost.” According to him, only about 10–12% of Ukrainians would agree to Russia’s terms, even under intense bombardment.

“Russia is deliberately targeting civilians to pressure the government,” he said. “It’s not working. In fact, it’s making us more determined.”