What are Ukraine's concerns about being excluded from peace negotiations regarding the ongoing war with Russia?

Ukraine faces significant concerns about being sidelined in peace discussions, particularly following recent diplomatic developments. President Zelensky has emphasized that "nothing can be done about Ukraine without Ukraine," highlighting the country's insistence on being central to any negotiations about its future. The situation has become more complex with reports of direct communication between Trump and Putin occurring before consultations with Kyiv, creating troubling optics for Ukrainian leadership. This sequence of events, combined with Washington's apparent acceptance that Russia "won't be going anywhere," represents what Ukraine perceives as a potential body blow to their negotiating position. These developments underscore Ukraine's fear of having peace terms dictated without meaningful Ukrainian input, despite being the primary victim of Russian aggression.