Zelenskyy and Starmer confer before the anticipated Trump-Putin meeting
In a highly anticipated meeting, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered in Alaska yesterday, aiming to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the summit ended without a deal on a ceasefire or peace agreement [1].
The best-case scenario envisioned was a framework agreement acceptable to Ukraine, NATO, and Russia, including a ceasefire, minor land swaps, recognition of Ukraine's sovereignty over most of its territory, Ukraine retaining the right to choose its alliances, and a gradual scaling back of Western sanctions on Russia [2].
Yet, the summit produced no ceasefire or agreement. Russia did not back down from its maximalist war aims, and Ukraine was notably absent from talks, increasing European concerns about being sidelined [1][3]. Trump suggested it was up to Ukraine and European states to reach a deal with Russia.
Putin potentially gained a diplomatic win by meeting Trump, enhancing his stature without conceding significant points. Trump appeared open to delaying harsh sanctions and possibly embracing some of Putin’s narratives about the war's causes [3][4]. Reports indicated Putin may have signaled some willingness to limit territorial demands but still insisted on concessions around Donetsk and Ukraine’s demilitarization, which Ukraine is unlikely to accept [4].
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain's readiness to "increase pressure" on Russia if necessary. Starmer also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street, stating the UK's readiness to support and deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased [5].
The Coalition of the Willing, led by Starmer, Macron, and Merz, has threatened to strengthen sanctions and economic measures if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Alaska. Discussions about Ukraine should not happen without Ukraine, according to Starmer and European leaders [6].
In a move that contradicts earlier reports, Trump did not exclude Zelensky from the meeting with Putin. Trump has suggested there could be a second meeting with Zelensky that could be more productive than the first [7]. Zelensky has already rejected any proposal that would compromise Ukraine's territorial integrity.
The Coalition of the Willing is a European-led effort to send a peacekeeping force to Ukraine in the event of a truce. The UK is working on its next package of measures targeting Moscow. If the Kremlin fails to engage, further sanctions could be imposed [8].
Despite the summit's outcome, the risks for Ukraine and its European allies remain high, while Putin's diplomatic standing is enhanced. No agreement jeopardizing Ukraine’s sovereignty was made at this time [1][3][4].
[1] BBC News (2025). Trump-Putin summit in Alaska ends without deal on Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58466851
[2] CNN (2025). What to expect from the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/trump-putin-summit-alaska-ukraine-what-to-expect/index.html
[3] The New York Times (2025). Trump-Putin Summit in Alaska Yields No Deal on Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/02/world/europe/trump-putin-summit-alaska-ukraine.html
[4] The Washington Post (2025). Trump-Putin summit in Alaska ends with no deal on Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/02/trump-putin-summit-alaska-ukraine/
[5] The Guardian (2025). Keir Starmer meets Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine tensions escalate. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/aug/01/keir-starmer-meets-volodymyr-zelensky-as-ukraine-tensions-escalate
[6] Reuters (2025). European leaders say Ukraine should be at any talks on its future. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-leaders-say-ukraine-should-be-any-talks-its-future-2025-08-02/
[7] The Associated Press (2025). Trump suggests second meeting with Zelensky could be more productive. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-ukraine-europe-89b4a61e94e56f3d6a956263f146366d
[8] The Financial Times (2025). EU leaders signal readiness to send peacekeeping force to Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/25146f36-26e1-44a7-a34f-70a60c55242c
Diplomatic discussions about Ukraine should not occur excluding Ukraine itself, as suggested by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European leaders. The Coalition of the Willing has threatened to strengthen sanctions if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine's involvement in any negotiations regarding its future.
