This past Friday’s hasty presidential summit in Alaska was d historic, and it certainly came with some breathtaking visuals, not to mention the dramatic backdrop of the Chugach mountains shining under the summer sun in Anchorage.
US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with applause as he stepped onto a red carpet laid out by saluting US troops.
The greeting was particularly striking given the context: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to over a million casualties, had escalated tensions significantly. Shortly after their handshake, a US B-2 stealth bomber flew by, escorted by fighter jets.
Yet, Putin seemed unfazed. This meeting marked his grand return to international diplomacy after isolation, a peculiar gift from a US president who has previously called him a friend.
As the gathered press at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson awaited a joint news conference that wasn’t meant to happen, I found myself sitting next to an enthusiastic reporter from a conservative news outlet aiming for Trump’s approval.
“Trump is eager to wrap up Biden’s war,” the reporter told me during a break, referencing the ongoing conflict resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine which began in 2022.
“But the Ukrainians and Europeans are causing issues,” he said, portraying frustration as Trump hesitated to make concessions.
This reporter’s remark brings attention to a more significant victory for Putin beyond just reentering global diplomacy: it seems that Trump is leaning in favor of Russia on crucial matters regarding the Ukraine crisis, aiming for a swift resolution.
Take a ceasefire, for instance. Ukraine, joined by its European allies, has maintained that stopping the violence should be the primary goal before any peace discussions can begin. Previously, Trump agreed, but now he’s signaling a shift in the conversation towards a comprehensive peace deal — a preference that aligns more with Kremlin interests, especially when Russian forces seem to be gaining momentum.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders head into direct talks with Trump, they will find their discussions overshadowed by the lagging pressure to accept Putin’s terms, which could include territorial concessions within the strategically critical Donbas region.
This could be crossing a red line for both Ukraine and Europe. Accepting such a deal would entail retreating from their fortified positions, which play a vital role in preventing further Russian advances—considered a catastrophic security compromise.
It’s likely that Ukrainian and European leaders will firmly oppose these territorial demands during their Washington trip, but they risk being perceived as major hindrances to peace efforts in the Biden administration’s eyes. Rejecting a quick solution that Trump advocates for, especially as he eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize, might provoke him to retaliate, potentially cutting off vital military assistance or intelligence sharing.
As the situation on the frontlines advances for Putin’s troops, he surely finds it rewarding to see territorial concessions even being deliberated. The very fact that concessions around Donbas are on the table allows the Kremlin to claim success while much of the territory they’ve already taken barely registers in these negotiations.
Looking towards the upcoming talks, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s Trump—not Putin—who is influencing the current discourse. Choosing to pursue Trump’s agenda could deviate from Ukraine’s and Europe’s interests.
This raises concerns regarding potential US security guarantees, a pivotal element in peace talks. These guarantees should ensure that a ceasefire doesn’t merely give Russia a tactical edge to restart its aggression later. Any credible threat of US military action would be essential for these assurances to act as effective deterrents. However, Trump’s push towards extricating the US from the conflict might portray these guarantees as hollow promises.
Trump appears determined to draw a quick conclusion on the ongoing war, showing less concern for Europe’s safety and more interest in political gains or lucrative business opportunities with Russia. It seems he wants to solidify his legacy as a dominant world leader.
At the Alaska summit, it was notable how different Trump’s demeanor was, seeming quite deferential towards Putin. During joint statements, Trump even allowed Putin to take the lead in addressing the media. The US president stood by quietly as the Russian leader spoke about the intertwined histories between Russia and Alaska, before sharing his thoughts on the discussions.
In a rare moment of camaraderie, Putin even suggested Trump should visit Moscow, presenting a welcomed embrace back into the arena of powerful global figures while sidelining concerns about Ukraine and European sentiments.
