August 18th 2025.
The highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15th was full of pleasantries but lacking in results. Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine since February 2022, the two leaders were unable to come to any agreements. The meeting, which was expected to last six to seven hours, only lasted two and a half hours and did not include the planned lunch. Journalists were also not allowed to ask questions, leaving many wondering about the specifics of the discussions.
Both leaders exchanged compliments and praises, but it was clear that this long-standing conflict could not be resolved in just one meeting between two countries. Multiple other interests and factors are at play. Putin seemed to have a knack for saying what Trump wanted to hear, but did not offer any concrete concessions. He even supported Trump's unverified claim that if he had been president four years ago, the war in Ukraine would never have happened. Trump reciprocated by praising Putin and calling him a "strong guy" and "tough as hell."
Despite Trump's previous warnings to Russia about severe consequences if they did not reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, his tone seemed to shift after the summit. He wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, as he flew back to the US that a peace agreement, rather than a mere ceasefire, would be the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump also revealed that Putin had offered to freeze most front lines if Ukraine agreed to cede all of Donetsk, a region that is a key target for Moscow. This offer was made in private after the summit, and it remains to be seen if Ukraine will consider it. Trump even went on Fox News to advise Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "make a deal."
The summit was seen as a diplomatic success for Putin, who has been seeking to break out of geopolitical isolation. He received a warm welcome in the US, with American fighter jets, a red carpet, and a ride in the iconic Beast, the PoTUS's armored car. This was Putin's first visit to the US in a decade, and it was a significant moment for him to regain his reputation on the world stage.
All eyes are now on the upcoming meeting in Washington on August 18th, which was initially scheduled between Trump and Zelenskyy but will now include a group of European and NATO leaders. This delegation includes top leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among others. The presence of European leaders is a clear demonstration of their support for Ukraine and their efforts to prevent a repeat of the heated encounter between Zelenskyy and Trump in February.
As it stands, the path to peace has been laid, but it remains to be seen how long it will take to reach the destination. With multiple interests and parties involved, it will be a challenging journey, but the hope for a resolution remains.
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