US President Donald Trump has announced a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but excluded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the meeting. The decision comes after a series of tight deadlines expired without sanctions or penalties. Trump had promised to end the war in 24 hours, but Putin’s repeated softening of demands led to a humiliating defeat for the US.
The exclusion of Zelensky from the summit is seen as a clear betrayal by Trump’s allies, including Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, who hailed the meeting as a great victory for peace. However, critics argue that Trump’s words do not matter to Putin, and that this concession will only embolden Russia’s aggression.
Zelensky himself has condemned the decision, stating that it is a “dead decision” that will bring nothing but harm to Ukraine. The US administration’s inability to enforce sanctions or penalties has been widely criticized as a sign of Trump’s lack of resolve in the face of Russian aggression.
Source: https://www.adn.com/opinions/2025/08/13/opinion-alaska-republicans-cheer-as-trump-prepares-to-sell-out-ukraine