The Kaipher Editorial Team 
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Vladimir Putin is deliberately using diplomatic engagement to delay crucial sanctions and evade accountability for his war against Ukraine. In an exclusive interview on Sky News broadcast on September 15, 2025, Zelensky criticized the August Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, arguing that it gave the Russian leader significant leverage without any consequences. He stressed that if Ukraine had been included in the meeting, outcomes would have been markedly different.
Zelensky expressed deep frustration, noting that Putin “wanted to escape from political isolation” and instead emerged with photographs alongside former President Trump and a platform for further summits. He warned that this diplomatic triumph risks emboldening Putin, allowing him to press on with aggression unless forceful measures are imposed.
Putin Exploits Diplomatic Engagement for “De-isolation”
From the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Zelensky condemned the Alaska meeting for effectively awarding Putin a diplomatic win. He said the summit “gave a lot to Putin” and lamented that “if it was a trilateral meeting [with Ukraine included], we would have some result.” By securing high-profile engagement with the US, Putin has sidestepped the political fallout of his invasion without paying any real price.
According to Zelensky, the Russian president “should have received a setback in this war and stopped,” but instead “he received de-isolation” and the public optics of rapprochement. This gain, he warned, paves the way for Putin to enter other international forums and formats, further normalizing his regime’s actions.
Direct Accusations of Deception
When asked whether Putin is trying to deceive Trump, Zelensky left no doubt: “He’s doing everything he can to avoid sanctions, to prevent the US and Trump from imposing measures on him.” He cautioned that any delay in sanction enforcement gives Russia additional time to prepare and adapt, weakening the impact of punitive steps.
Zelensky emphasized that Putin “should pay, firstly, because he started the war, and secondly, because [he is] trying to find a way out of isolation.” He implored Western leaders not to grant Putin diplomatic breathing room, arguing that without credible threats, “he won’t feel compelled that he has to stop the war.”
The Language of Force
Highlighting Putin’s psychology, Zelensky argued that diplomatic appeals alone are insufficient: “He’s waging the war and everyone is trying to stop him by arguing, by asking him—but instead force should be used.” He asserted that “he understands force. That’s his language. He doesn’t speak many languages, but that is the language he understands.”
Zelensky called for accelerated action from Ukraine’s allies, warning that while sanctions have been implemented, “more needs to be done, quicker.” He insisted that only tangible pressure can shift Putin’s calculations and compel a withdrawal of Russian forces.
Stalled Peace Process Confirms Ukrainian Warnings
Recent statements from the Kremlin underscore Zelensky’s concerns, as Moscow acknowledges that peace negotiations remain “more on pause than ongoing.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted on September 12 that formal diplomatic channels exist but are effectively dormant.
Meanwhile, Russia launched its largest aerial assault of the war on September 7—deploying over 800 drones and munitions and killing at least eight civilians—further validating Ukrainian warnings. Despite renewed threats of sanctions from the US following these attacks, no new measures have been applied, fueling fears that Putin is successfully exploiting diplomatic avenues to avoid accountability.
