The summit between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, held on 15 August 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska, has ended without a formal peace agreement. While the event was billed as a breakthrough attempt to end the war in Ukraine, its main outcome appears to have been additional time for Russia to pursue battlefield advances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that Russia complicates prospects for peace as it continues to ignore ceasefire proposals. He insisted that any durable settlement must include security guarantees and the return of Ukrainian children taken from occupied territories. Zelenskyy also reiterated his refusal to surrender Donbas.
There are two main reasons the Ukrainian president refuses to surrender territories to Russia. The first is that the Constitution of Ukraine prohibits an incumbent leader or the government from ceding its territories to foreign powers. Zelenskyy has also cautioned that surrendering Donbas and other areas could serve as a springboard for future Russian aggression.
Reports from diplomatic leaks suggest Putin offered Trump a proposal requiring Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region, with Russia freezing its front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Trump has previously stated that a peace agreement might involve territorial exchanges. He relayed the proposal to Zelenskyy in a call following the summit.
The stance of Trump shifted noticeably after the Alaska meeting. Beforehand, he had promoted the idea of a rapid ceasefire, but following the talks, he declared that ceasefires often fail and instead called for an immediate permanent peace deal. This change aligned with the Russian strategy of refusing to halt ongoing military operations before negotiations.
Some might agree that the Trump-Putin summit allowed Putin to buy time as Russian forces push forward in eastern Ukraine. The additional weeks leading to autumn might be a decisive factor for building the battlefield momentum for Russian forces. The meeting essentially brought diplomatic exposure but no concrete progress in favor of Ukraine.
European leaders expressed concern that Trump could pressure Zelenskyy to accept unfavorable terms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that peace must uphold the sovereignty of Ukraine, the integrity of its territories, and the principles of international law.
Ukrainian allies from the European Union have affirmed unity in sustaining military, financial, and political backing for Ukraine. They framed their resolve around the notion that the sovereignty of Ukraine is critical to the security of Europe. Officials emphasized that international borders cannot be redrawn by force or imposed agreements.
The summit was both a reprieve and a setback for Ukraine. No rushed territorial settlement was produced that would have undermined the country. However, the absence of a ceasefire demand removed a critical shield against ongoing offensives. This left Zelensky facing renewed diplomatic pressure while his forces brace for intensified Russian attacks.
FURTHER READINGS AND REFERENCES
- Holland, S., Osborn, A., and Balmforth, T. 17 August 2025. “Trump Tells Zelenskyy that Putin Wants More of Ukraine, Urges Kyiv to Make a Deal.” Reuters. Available online
- Robins, A. and Wilson, T. 17 August 2025. “Russia ‘Complicating’ End to War, Says Zelensky as Trump Urges Ukraine to Agree to Moscow Peace Deal.” BBC. Available online
- Sauer, P. 16 August 2025. “Russia Jubilant After Trump Summit as Putin Reportedly Demands Donetsk and Luhansk.” The Guardian. Available online