Trump-Desired Objectives from Putin: Peace in Ukraine Not Included
The much-anticipated summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025, primarily focused on the war in Ukraine but ended without any agreement or ceasefire being announced [1][3].
The meeting, the first between the two leaders as sitting presidents since 2019, was significant as it marked the first Russian presidential visit to a US military base and the first US-hosted meeting since 2007 amid heightened tensions after the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine [1].
Trump later suggested that Ukraine should cede territory to end the war, indicating a potential shift in negotiating stance [1]. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly ruled out surrendering territory.
The summit was solicited by the Kremlin, possibly as a way of heading off a threat of US tariffs and secondary sanctions [2]. The Russian peace offer to US presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, involves Kyiv surrendering territory in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine in exchange for a ceasefire [2]. So far, there's been little sign of real compromise from the Kremlin in ending the war in Ukraine [2].
The potential consequences and possible outcomes discussed before and after the summit include a best-case scenario where Trump and Putin could potentially forge a framework agreement, and a worst-case scenario where Trump might accept a flawed deal reflecting Putin’s maximalist war aims [2].
The best-case scenario involves a ceasefire, minor territorial swaps, non-recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian territory by Ukraine and the West but agreeing not to retake it by force, Ukrainian sovereignty over the remaining territory, limitations on NATO troop presence in Ukraine, and a gradual rollback of Western sanctions on Russia [2].
On the other hand, the worst-case scenario could see Trump accepting a deal reflecting Putin’s maximalist war aims such as regime change in Kyiv and Ukraine’s demilitarization, which Ukraine and NATO would reject [2]. This could cause deep fractures in transatlantic relations and risk Putin effectively subjugating Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky was not present at the summit, raising concerns about the legitimacy and durability of any agreements made without direct Ukrainian involvement [4].
The summit allowed Putin to be seen back at the top table of international diplomacy. Putin reportedly reiterated that Russia would "continue to pursue its goals to address the root causes" of the conflict in Ukraine [3]. Trump appears to like the sound of a land-for-peace deal, despite it being unpalatable to Ukraine and its European partners [3].
More broadly, the Kremlin has been talking up possibilities for economic, technological, and space cooperation with the US, as well as lucrative deals on infrastructure and energy in the Arctic and elsewhere [3]. If Putin gets his way in this summit, the "Ukraine question" may find itself relegated to just one of many talking points between the leaders of the two great powers.
References:
[1] The Guardian. (2025, August 16). Trump and Putin summit: leaders meet in Alaska but no sign of breakthrough. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/16/trump-putin-summit-leaders-meet-in-alaska-but-no-sign-of-breakthrough
[2] The Washington Post. (2025, August 15). Analysis: What Trump and Putin might achieve — and what they shouldn't — at the Alaska summit. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/15/analysis-what-trump-and-putin-might-achieve-and-what-they-shouldnt-at-the-alaska-summit/
[3] The New York Times. (2025, August 16). Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska but Make No Breakthrough on Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/16/world/europe/trump-putin-alaska-ukraine.html
[4] BBC News. (2025, August 15). Trump-Putin summit: What happened and what's next? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58301061
[5] CNN. (2025, August 16). Trump-Putin summit in Alaska ends with no breakthrough on Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/16/politics/trump-putin-summit-alaska-ukraine/index.html
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