The missing seat at the table
The phrase No Ukraine no deal is more than a slogan — it is the essence of diplomatic legitimacy. The upcoming Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska, set to proceed without Ukraine’s direct participation, is not just a procedural oversight. It is a fundamental betrayal of international law, of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and of the basic principle that no nation’s fate can be decided in its absence.
Why exclusion equals failure
Negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine are structurally flawed. They turn the nation under attack into a passive object rather than an active participant. Any agreement reached without Kyiv’s consent is dead on arrival, morally void, and politically toxic.
History is littered with examples of such backroom deals — from Munich in 1938 to post-war divisions of Eastern Europe — where absent nations paid the price for others’ “peace.”
A propaganda gift to the Kremlin
For Vladimir Putin, the optics of a handshake with Donald Trump in Alaska are far more valuable than any document signed. They send a message to the Russian public and the world: Russia is not isolated; the West is ready to talk on Moscow’s terms. By leaving Ukraine out, Trump risks becoming an accessory to Putin’s propaganda machinery.
Ukraine’s stance is unambiguous
Kyiv rejects any talks about territorial concessions or land swaps. The Ukrainian Constitution prohibits such deals, and the public mandate reinforces it. This is not stubbornness — it is the defense of a principle that protects every nation from the law of the jungle.
Why the U.S. must hold the line
The United States once prided itself on championing self-determination and opposing aggression. Entering negotiations that cut Ukraine out would reverse that stance, signaling to allies and adversaries alike that American values are negotiable. The damage would extend far beyond Eastern Europe, undermining trust in U.S. commitments globally.
Conclusion — no legitimacy without Ukraine
From an Oppositioner perspective, the Alaska summit will have no legitimacy if Ukraine is absent. No Ukraine, no deal — not now, not ever. Peace without justice is a façade, and justice starts with having every rightful party at the table.
External links:
- The Guardian on excluding Ukraine from talks
- Washington Post on historical dangers of exclusionary diplomacy