US President Donald Trump’s two-day summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a significant breakthrough, leaving Ukraine’s fate uncertain.
Putin arrived at the meeting with high expectations, but his patience was tested by Trump’s refusal to accept a proposed peace deal that would have favored Moscow. The plan, which included control of the Donbas region, is considered unacceptable by Ukraine.
Despite this setback, Putin remains committed to his goals, and time appears to be on his side. The Russian leader has two months to achieve significant progress before the weather cools down and advances become harder in eastern Ukraine.
Trump’s instincts suggest that he should not have made the trip to Alaska, as it did not produce real diplomatic progress. However, the US president may see value in maintaining a relationship with Putin, particularly if it means keeping European leaders off his back.
The real challenge for Ukraine now lies in dealing with the consequences of Trump’s decision-making. The US has urged Zelensky to accept the proposed deal, which would have put significant pressure on the Ukrainian government. However, Kyiv is unlikely to cave under pressure from Washington or Moscow.
As the situation unfolds, one thing becomes clear: time is a luxury that both Putin and Ukraine can ill afford. A lasting peace agreement will take weeks to formulate, if not much longer. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of this conflict, with the fate of eastern Ukraine hanging precariously in the balance.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/16/europe/alaska-summit-trump-putin-ukraine-intl