US President Donald Trump has bowed down to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, abandoning the main goal of securing an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine. The two leaders met for talks in Anchorage, Alaska, where Trump declared “I’m not going to be happy” if no cease-fire was reached. However, he returned home without imposing consequences and instead endorsed a broader peace agreement that would require Ukraine to give up territory.
Putin’s preferred approach is to negotiate a long-term peace deal that addresses Russia’s grievances, including US influence in Europe. Trump has expressed admiration for Putin and sympathy for his positions, which has sparked criticism from some quarters. Despite this, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have welcomed Trump’s efforts to broker a peace agreement.
The Alaska summit has given Putin a free pass to continue the war without further penalty, pending talks on a broader peace deal. Ukrainian and European leaders are unlikely to go along with Putin’s conditions, which include NATO pull-backs and territorial concessions. The future of the peace process remains uncertain, with no clear signs of compromise from either side.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/16/us/politics/trump-putin-approach-ukraine.html