Former Ukrainian MP and head of the National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS) NGO, Hanna Hopko, shared her opinion with Espreso TV.“Regarding the August 15 meeting, it’s actually a trap. Events are unfolding according to the Russian scenario: inviting a war criminal onto U.S. soil serves as a way for Russia to break free from political isolation. Right now, Russia’s economy is cracking and vulnerable. We have been calling for total economic isolation of the aggressor state. ANTS has detailed analyses pinpointing where to strike — Russia’s real ‘Achilles’ heels.’ Yet, we’re witnessing a softening of rhetoric among our European partners, who no longer demand a full ceasefire but only want a reduction in combat activity,” Hopko said.In her view, a major challenge now is to do everything possible to “derail” this large summit, where both Ukraine and European countries seek to participate, to prevent it from becoming a one-on-one meeting that results in another “Chicken Kyiv” — agreements made without Ukraine.“I think that from the very start of Trump’s presidency, there were arrangements between the U.S. and Russia not only behind Ukraine’s back but also without European partners. There were certain resets in Russia–U.S. relations. And Trump’s sharp reactions to Medvedev’s statements are a show for social media, a game for Trump’s electorate, since his situation is worsening, including due to the Epstein case. Midterm congressional elections are also approaching, so Trump and the Republican Party need to ensure that foreign policy does not affect the election results,” Hanna Hopko noted.Trump earlier announced he would meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15.Two sources speaking to U.S. broadcaster CNN suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might take part in the Alaska summit, but emphasized that the U.S. and Russian leaders would first meet without him.