“The US administration already knows that it has made a mistake.” Former Ambassador in Ukraine: When organizing the peak in Alaska, Trump got caught up in Putin's game
In an interview with Kyiv Post on Monday, Herbst, currently the senior director of the Eurasia Center in Atlantic Council, assessed that the American administration was in the “not very comfortable situation” after hastily planning the summit with Vladimir Putin, and Trump's apparently contradictory statements They are a way to get out of this difficult situation.
Earlier on the same day, the US President stated in the White House that during a meeting with Putin in Alaska, he would try to regain part of the territory for Ukraine.
– Russia took a significant part of Ukraine. She took the best territories. We will try to regain part of this territory for Ukraine – he said.
Although he stated that within two minutes he would be able to assess whether the reach of an agreement on the end of the war was possible, he described the meeting as “reconnaissance” and warned again against “certain territorial changes” between the two countries.
Herbst, who was the US ambassador in Kiev during the rule of George W. Bush, said that in his opinion Trump sends contradictory messages.
On the one hand, the US President “raises the stake, claiming that we will be able to achieve something with Putin and should be used.” On the other hand, he is now trying to reduce expectations, describing the Friday meeting as a “reconnaissance peak”, which, according to Herbst, means that “maybe none of it will be, which of course we already know”.
The former ambassador believes that this approach is not a clever negotiating tactics, but reactive strategy.
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– I would say that this is a tactic of dealing with a not very comfortable situation in which they found themselves because of the hasty actions towards the Russians – indicates Herbst.
He added that Russia seems to effectively use “delay tactics” and Trump was caught up in it.
Administration dilemma
Herbst indicated two clear signals that “American administration understands his mistake.” First, a change in the rhetoric of Trump himself about the peak. Secondly, the last journeys of JD Vance Vice President to Great Britain, where he talked to Ukrainians and other Europeans, trying “to take into account very serious reservations not only raised by Kiev, but also London, Berlin and Paris.”
– I think they understand that maybe they were in a hurry, Going beyond what Russia was really ready for – sums up Herbst.
Gavril Grigorov / Pool / AFP / AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes the special US envoy Steve Witkoff before talks in Moscow, August 6, 2025.
Herbst believes that “it is not too late to turn back”. However, he has some concerns. – We know that President Trump likes to ignore the mistakes made by his team. I think that this is what we are dealing with here – he notes.
Defective formula of the room
Herbst is very critical of the peace framework proposed by the administration, especially POmery of concessions from Ukraine at the beginning of the trial.
– Ukraine's concessions are predetermined to get a complete suspension of weapons, and what Ukraine requires is left to further negotiations – he says.
In his opinion, this is a mistake, because it does not exert enough pressure on the Kremlin. “We know Putin is reluctant to make any concessions,” he notes. – Because Trump's goal is a durable room, a stable room, he must convince Putin to make real concessions.
To regain the advantage before the summit, Herbst advised Trump taking immediate action, including the announcement of a new delivery of weapons to Ukraine and Putin's private warningthat all further attacks on Ukrainian cities after talks will meet with “immediate sanctions” not only towards Russia, but also its trading partners.
Herbst also suggested the invitation of President Zelanski to participate in the peak in Alaska. Trump himself said that after talks with Putin he would talk to European leaders and Zelnski.
“I will call him first … I will call him after the talks and maybe I will say:” Good luck, fight “, and maybe I will say:” We can make an agreement “,” Trump said on Monday. He also noted that although he “gets along well” with Zelanski, “he does not agree with what he did [prezydent Ukrainy]”.
Herbst emphasized the importance of the involvement of Europe, noting that its leaders “of course have a role to play, because their security is very threatened if Putin wins the war in Ukraine.”
According to the former ambassador, the Friday peak can be worth the West only if Trump “He will press Russia to actually agree to the suspension of the weapon“And he will force Putin to present” specific concessions to which the Russians are ready to agree. “
He noted, however, that so far “there is no indication that such concessions are to occur.”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
