President Trump is relying heavily on personal diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may not be yielding the desired results. In a recent meeting at an American air base in Anchorage, Trump and Putin discussed possible solutions to the conflict in Ukraine, but no clear progress has been made.
Trump had initially suggested that the only way forward was for the two leaders to meet face-to-face to strike deals and make decisions. However, since the meeting, there have been inconsistencies in Trump’s statements on the issue. He has hinted at a peacekeeping force being established in Ukraine, but Russia has described a different construct involving security guarantees.
The inconsistency is symptomatic of Trump’s strategic incoherence. At times, he portrays himself as a mediator who can extract concessions from Putin, while at other moments, he sounds like an ally of Ukraine, promising to help secure the country from future attacks. This mixed approach creates uncertainty about the American role in the effort.
In recent weeks, Trump has declared that the US would join European leaders in creating security assurances for Ukraine, committing to come to the country’s defense if Russia attacked again. However, this move is opposed by Trump himself and former President Biden.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that Ukraine signed a security agreement with the West in 1994, which included an undefined security assurance. The Russians have now inserted a caveat into their proposals, suggesting they must be part of the security force to keep troops out of Ukraine.
Trump’s handling of the situation has been criticized by former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder, who says the Trump administration fundamentally misunderstands the conflict. “The conflict is about identity and whether Ukraine will join the West or effectively be under Russian control,” he said.
As the situation continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Trump’s approach to Russia-Ukraine diplomacy is uncertain and potentially destabilizing.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/us/politics/trump-diplomacy-putin-alaska-ukraine-war.html