Donald Trump takes a risky game with Putin. Analysts have no illusions
European allies are beating an alarm, claiming that no peace agreement regarding Ukraine can be concluded without Kiev's participation at the negotiating table. They are afraid that Trump's administration may press on an agreement that will force Ukraine to donate the territory, which the US president publicly called “the exchange of lands”.
Critics say that such a move would not only be Kiev's betrayal, but it would also create a dangerous precedentrewarding Russian aggression and undermining the fundamental principle of borders' sovereignty.
– Europeans emphasize the need to guarantee Ukraine's security and law to choose their future – indicates Tyson Barker, an older researcher at the Atlantic Council.
In an interview with Kyiv Post, the analyst emphasizes that in order to achieve “fair and lasting peace”, international law and the principles of independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine should be observed.
The statement of EU leaders additionally indicated that the road to peace “cannot be established without Ukraine” and that “international borders cannot be changed by force.”
Alaska's strategic meaning
The choice of Alaska as a place of the peak is more than just a matter of convenience. This is a deliberate move of historical and strategic significance. Michael Sfraga, a diplomat born in Alaska, who served as the US ambassador in the Arctic in an interview with Kyiv Post indicates that this location emphasizes the growing importance of the region.
– Stan Alaska is at the Center of Internal and Foreign Policy of the United States – notes Sfraga, currently acting as a temporary rector of the Alaska University in Fairbanks.
He added that Trump's decision to meet Putin in this place “emphasizes the geographical and geopolitical importance of Alaska in shaping and influenced by discussions about regional and global significance.”
Some analysts perceive this location as a symbolic gesture, taking into account that the United States bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. This historical context, combined with the growing strategic meaning of the Arctic, makes This peak is a key moment for both the war in Ukraine and the future of the Arctic region.
“Alaska opposes authoritarianism”
Diplomatic tensions moved to the streets of Anchorage, where a protest against Putin's arrival is planned.
The manifestation organized by the non-profit stand up organization will take place on Thursday, the day before the summit, in protest against the presence of the “war criminal” on the American land. The International Criminal Tribunal (MTK) issued an arrest order to arrest Putin on charges of war crimes.
– We want to send a bright signal to both Donald Trump and Putin: Alaska strongly opposes authoritarianism – emphasizes Stand Up Alaska spokesman.
The protest is a loud, bottom -up element of international pressure on both leaders, reminding them of how high the rate is.
“The president must look in his eyes”
While the White House tries to alleviate expectations towards the Friday peak, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio replied on Tuesday criticism of people who already see the meeting itself as a concession to Putin.
“For President Trump, the meeting is not a concession,” said Rubio in an interview, describing the summit as a key “reconnaissance meeting”, during which Trump intends to personally assess Putin's intentions.
US President Donald Trump during a press conference at the White House in Washington, August 11, 2025.
– The president believes that He must look in this man in the eyes. He must face him face to face – added Rubio.
This approach, however, was met with acute skepticism of some experts who consider them dangerously naive.
Yuri Bojeczko, general director of the American humanitarian organization Hope for Ukraine, is afraid that the meeting “Ukraine will not even bring a temporary suspension of weapons. “
In an interview with Kyiv, Post points to the latest intelligence information provided by President Volodymyr Zelanski about the movement of Russian troops. In his opinion, this is a clear signal that “Russia is not ready for peace.”
Bojeczko referred to the political history of Ukraine, noting that when Zelanski ran for office, he stated that “if he looked into Putin's eyes, the war would end”.
In his opinion, just like Zelanski did not stop the war after Putin looked into the eyes during the Paris peak, nothing would change in the war in Ukraine after Trump met with Putin in Alaska. “
Warned that The Russian leader is a “master of manipulation”, which will be well prepared with “planned and practiced arguments”, and Trump “can most likely be fooled by Putin's tricks.”
Bojeczek emphasized that Trump has already shown “serious weakness” without introducing the announced sanctions on August 8, and Putin will certainly use this weakness during the meeting.
The gap between the demands
The main challenge facing the summit is a huge gap between the demands of both sides. Russia's demands, in accordance with media reports, include the formal recognition of the annexation of Crimea and four other regions of Ukraine, as well as Kiev's obligation to neutrality and ban on the stationing of foreign troops.
In turn, the President of Ukraine consistently rejects resignation from territories and demands the return of all deported children and full exchange of prisoners. He stated that every agreement without the participation of Ukraine would be a “dead decision” that would “never work”.
The analysis of potential summit results is therefore full of uncertainty. Although Trump may believe in its ability to negotiate an agreement, fundamental differences between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the deep skepticism of European leaders and diplomatic experts suggest that achieving lasting peace will be difficult, if not impossible, without significant concessions from one or both sides.
The world observes whether Trump's unconventional approach will succeed where traditional diplomacy failed, or whether it will only be a scene of a symbolic meeting without specific results.
