It took Ukraine’s president time and effort to not only repair his diplomatic relations with the Trump administration, but also to prove that no one wants the end of Russia’s all-out war more than Ukraine does.

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be part of his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump expressed hope for “constructive conversations” but clarified that he will not be the one to finalize any peace agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone Monday, reaffirming their agreement that Ukraine must be a party to any discussions about a possible end to the war in that country.