A gathering in Anchorage of the leaders of the USA and Russia. Ukraine omitted

According to the White home representative, the choice of Anchorage was decided by logistical considerations. According to CNN station, it is the only city in Alaska with the infrastructure that allows for safe and efficient talks at the highest level, and the Elmendorf-Richardson base located there provides the right conditions for organising the event.

On Tuesday, the White home reported that any of Anchorage's talks would be held in one-on-one format, with only interpreters present to warrant full confidentiality. In turn, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the gathering itself does not mean concessions to the Russian leader. – At the very beginning, we will see if this gathering has any chance of success – he said.

Uninvited Zelenski

In consequence to the information about the planned gathering in Anchorage, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenski pointed out that talks at leadership level are important, but the Ukrainian side cannot be ignored on issues concerning it. – Therefore, the talks between the president of the United States and Putin may of course be crucial to their bilateral relations, but they cannot make any decisions concerning Ukraine without our participation – he said.

On the same day Volodymyr Zelenski had a conversation with Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the chance to organise a gathering of Ukrainian and Russian leaders was discussed in Istanbul. Both leaders agreed that negotiations without Ukrainian participation would not be able to supply lasting peace.

When asked about the possible invitation of Volodymyr Zelenski to Anchorage, Donald Trump stated that the Ukrainian leader could attend the meeting, nevertheless he has already participated in many akin talks in fresh years that have not yielded the expected results. This is what the U.S. president quoted at NBC News.

Director of the MON on the meeting

During the Tuesday press conference Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish, referring to the planned gathering and prospects for ending the conflict, emphasized that it is an work to prosecute peace, if there is simply a real chance. However, he pointed out that peace cannot be achieved at all costs. In his opinion, the agreement should be fair, fair and take account of Ukraine's participation. – Her commitment [Ukraine], what they have been doing for 3 years in heroic combat, unequal struggle, must be respected – he said.

He added that he was looking at the planned talks with average optimism. In his opinion, the gathering may prove to be groundbreaking and give the peace process a strong impetus, but the final result can only be assessed on 15 August.