US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, with both leaders hoping to broker an end to the conflict in Ukraine. However, experts warn that Trump may be walking into a trap set by Putin.
Trump has expressed frustration with Putin’s repeated defiance of calls for a cease-fire and has targeted Russia with harsh sanctions. To make peace, Putin offered Trump a one-on-one summit, which the US president eagerly accepted.
But foreign-policy experts, including former national security adviser John Bolton, believe that Putin is not willing to compromise on key demands. These include Russia retaining control over conquered territory in Ukraine and Ukraine forgoing security guarantees to prevent future attacks.
These terms are nonstarters for Ukraine and its allies, raising concerns that the summit may be a ruse to gain time and secure concessions from the US. The potential outcome leaves many wondering whether Trump is willing to make significant concessions to achieve a deal or if he will walk away entirely.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/08/putin-trump-ukraine-summit-trap/683841