Following the European encounter, Trump expresses a desire for an expedited three-way summit involving Zelensky and Putin.
The much-anticipated Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on August 15, 2025, did not yield an immediate ceasefire or a major peace deal for Ukraine.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, described a call with President Trump as "very good." However, the expected outcome regarding Ukraine's interests and the ongoing conflict with Russia appears limited.
Donald Trump expressed interest in a second meeting with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, conditioned on the success of the first. Trump stated that "big things can be achieved" in the first meeting, making it "a very important meeting."
However, Putin rejected the idea of a ceasefire as a precondition for talks, instead proposing that Russia would stop fighting and freeze battle lines only if Ukraine ceded control of all territory in Donetsk and Luhansk still held by Kyiv.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy remains skeptical, accusing Russia of avoiding genuine peace talks while continuing aggressive military actions and missile strikes on civilian targets. Zelenskyy emphasizes ongoing diplomatic efforts with allies and calls for increased pressure on Russia through weapons, funding, and sanctions to counteract Russian aggression.
Emmanuel Macron stated that the American will is to obtain a ceasefire in Ukraine. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz also stated that Ukraine should be involved in future meetings.
Experts stress that despite the summit, a durable peace is not imminent. The conflict’s complexity suggests a prolonged struggle with continuing diplomatic efforts, economic sanctions against Russia, and sustained support for Ukraine’s defense as critical elements going forward.
Following the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte affirmed that Europeans and Donald Trump are united in their efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also threatened Russia with "very serious consequences" if it did not end the war in Ukraine. The Secretary General warned that the "ball is now in Putin's court."
As of now, no serious schemes for territorial exchanges are present, and the discussions come as Russian forces have made their greatest progress in Ukrainian territory in over a year. The prospect of peace remains distant, and a long-term policy entrenchment by Ukraine and its allies is advocated given the current realities.
War-and-conflicts continue to dominate general-news as the ongoing war in Ukraine persists, with politics playing a significant role in the stalemate. Despite President Trump's interest in a second summit with Putin and Zelensky, experts predict that a durable peace is not imminent, and ongoing diplomatic efforts, economic sanctions, and military support for Ukraine are crucial elements in resolving the conflict.
