US President Donald Trump has abandoned his demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine, following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The move marks a significant shift in US-Russia relations and comes as many are criticizing Trump’s handling of the diplomatic meeting.
According to reports, Trump dropped his request for an immediate halt to fighting in Ukraine after the two-day summit. This decision appears to have been influenced by Putin, who is said to have achieved his objectives without making major concessions.
The Alaska summit began with a high-profile red carpet event, but ended abruptly as Trump and Putin exited the meeting early. The dramatic reversal of Trump’s stance on Ukraine has sparked widespread criticism from commentators, who believe that Trump was outmaneuvered by Putin.
However, not all news is focused on the US-Russia relations. Other notable developments include a major Kennedy Center ceremony, which saw family members receive Honors medallions for 47 years, and the intensification of Hurricane Erin into a Category 5 storm.
Additionally, economists are discussing the surge in US-born jobs, while subscribers to the newsletter can stay up-to-date with breaking news from around the world.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/08/16/putin-trump-russia-summit-ukraine-war