Zelenskyy Calls Putin a ‘Bluffer’ as Trump Pledges to Push for Ceasefire in Alaska Summit
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Center-Leaning
Why: Focuses on factual quotes from all sides without taking a position, though U.S. and European perspectives receive more detailed coverage than Russia’s stance.
Zelenskyy’s Message to Trump and European Leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “bluffing” about wanting peace in Ukraine. Speaking after a virtual meeting with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other European officials, Zelenskyy accused Russia of escalating military pressure ahead of Friday’s planned U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska.
Zelenskyy said Russia’s current military actions were aimed at projecting the ability to occupy all of Ukraine. “Putin definitely does not want peace. He wants the occupation of our country,” he told reporters in Berlin. He called for increased U.S. and European sanctions to pressure Moscow.
Trump to Press for Ceasefire at Alaska Meeting
According to Macron, Trump assured European leaders that he would press Putin for an “immediate ceasefire” during the summit. Macron added that Trump also reaffirmed that territorial matters concerning Ukraine “can and will only be negotiated by the Ukrainian president,” a stance Macron said Europe supports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the Alaska meeting as “a listening exercise” for Trump, intended to give him a better understanding of possible steps to end the war. The meeting will be held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, with plans for a one-on-one session between Trump and Putin. Zelenskyy is not expected to attend.
Ukraine Pushes for Trilateral Talks
Zelenskyy urged the creation of a three-way negotiation format involving Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. “It is impossible to solve this without Ukraine,” he said, noting that over 30 consultations with international partners had already taken place on potential peace terms.
Russia’s Position Unchanged
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Alexei Fadeev dismissed European-led consultations as “politically and practically insignificant.” He reiterated Russia’s existing conditions for ending the war: complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson still under Ukrainian control, and Ukraine’s abandonment of its NATO membership plans.
Fadeev said the Alaska meeting would focus on the full range of U.S.-Russia issues, from the Ukraine conflict to broader relations.
Ongoing Military Strikes
Both sides reported overnight strikes continuing into Wednesday.
Ukraine’s account: Russia launched 49 drones and two North Korean-made ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian forces shooting down or neutralizing 32 drones and both missiles.
Russia’s account: Russian forces shot down 63 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Reported targets: Ukraine said its attacks included the Unecha oil pump station in Russia’s Bryansk region, causing a large-scale fire.
European Support for Ukraine’s Role in Talks
European governments emphasized that Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace settlement. Macron said Trump’s position aligned with Europe’s — that territorial integrity decisions rest solely with Ukraine’s leadership. Zelenskyy concluded his remarks by calling for unified international pressure. “We must end this war. We must put pressure on Russia for an honest peace,” he said.
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