Following the Trump-Putin meeting, Europeans strategize their moves
In a significant diplomatic event, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, marking the first U.S.-hosted meeting of Russian and U.S. presidents since 2007. The summit, held at a U.S. military base, focused primarily on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and potential ceasefire, but concluded without an announced agreement.
The meeting was the first between the two leaders since Trump's 2024 reelection and the first time a Russian leader was invited back to a Western country since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Before the summit, Trump had threatened severe consequences if Russia did not commit to a ceasefire, but Putin rejected unconditional ceasefire demands and insisted that Ukraine abandon four partially occupied regions annexed by Russia as a precondition for peace.
Despite the lack of an agreement, Trump suggested that Ukraine might now bear responsibility for making territorial concessions to achieve peace. This concern was echoed by the exclusion of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy from the talks, causing worry in Kyiv and Europe about potential deals involving Ukrainian territorial concessions without Ukraine's direct involvement.
The talks between the two leaders lasted barely more than two and a half hours. President Putin expressed his gratitude to President Trump by adopting two grievances dear to his heart: the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, and the war in Ukraine would never have started if Donald Trump had been president. Mr. Putin qualified the meeting as "very productive" on "the path to peace in Ukraine."
In a post-summit interview, Trump advised President Zelensky to "Make a deal!" in relation to his talks with Putin. However, the "deal" proposed by Presidents Trump and Putin in Anchorage may not be in Kiev's favor, according to the way they presented things.
President Zelensky has decided to travel to Washington on Monday to discuss the possibility of a three-way meeting. This potential development could be a significant step towards resolving the conflict, but European leaders are watching closely to ensure their interests are not undermined in any potential arrangement.
President Putin acknowledged that he and Kiev have cards to play in the conflict, while expressing hope that the Europeans will not try to undermine the progress expected by provocations or backroom intrigues. The European leaders are concerned about the possibility of an arrangement being made without their involvement.
The summit ended without a concrete prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine. The planned lunch did not take place during the summit. The European leaders are keeping a close eye on developments, ensuring that their interests are protected in any potential resolution to the conflict.
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