Trump-Putin Alaska talks collapse: No deal on Ukraine

On 15 August, United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war. Despite high expectations, the talks collapsed, yielding no ceasefire or signed agreement.

The summit, held in a state once owned by Czarist Russia, was marked by symbolic gestures but failed to deliver substantive results.

Putin’s unmet demands

Putin arrived with a firm stance, declaring before the summit that “Russia will not deviate from its set goals.” His conditions were:

1. Permanent Russian control over annexed Ukrainian territories
2. Safety guarantees for Russians in Ukraine
3. A ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership
4. No foreign troops stationed in Ukraine
5. Revocation of his International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant
6. Resumption of US-Russia trade with a joint business team

None of these demands was met, highlighting the deep divide between the two leaders. Putin’s insistence on territorial control and NATO exclusion clashed with Trump’s push for a ceasefire, leaving negotiations deadlocked.

A warm welcome for a 'controversial' guest

Despite Putin’s ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, Trump greeted him with a red-carpet welcome. A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, flanked by F-35 Lightnings, soared overhead, and a ceremonial guard saluted as Trump warmly addressed Putin as “Vladimir.”

The leaders rode together in the presidential limousine, “the Beast,” a rare honour for a foreign leader. This display contrasted sharply with Putin’s pariah status in the West since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Trump’s diplomatic misstep

Trump’s decision to exclude Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO allies from the talks drew criticism. European leaders and Zelenskyy expressed concern that decisions made without Ukraine’s input would lack legitimacy. Zelenskyy, in a video address, stressed that “everyone needs a just end to the war,” warning that Russian attacks continued even during the summit.

Trump’s initial confidence—he claimed he’d know within “two minutes” if a deal was possible—faded as the talks stretched over three hours without progress.

Key takeaways from the failed summit

The Alaska summit produced no immediate resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Key outcomes include:

• No end to the war: No ceasefire or agreement was reached, prolonging the conflict.
• Diplomatic win for Putin: The summit bolstered Putin’s global standing, with Russian state media hailing it as a “historic” return to the world stage.
• Possible policy shift: Discussions hinted at possible easing of sanctions on Russian energy exports, which could benefit nations like India reliant on Russian oil.
• Pressure on Zelenskyy: Trump suggested Zelenskyy must now consider territorial concessions, a stance Ukraine has firmly rejected.

What next for Ukraine?

The summit’s failure raises questions about future negotiations. Trump, who barred NATO from the talks, now insists that the EU and Zelenskyy must be involved in finding a resolution. He plans to call Zelenskyy and NATO leaders to discuss next steps, hinting at a possible three-way meeting with Putin.

However, Putin’s suggestion of a follow-up summit in Moscow, which Trump did not dismiss, has sparked concern about further sidelining Ukraine.

Trump’s Nobel ambitions unmet

Trump’s pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize remains elusive. Despite his claims of brokering peace in other conflicts, the Alaska summit’s failure undermines his dealmaker image. Critics argue that his exclusion of Ukraine and naive approach to Putin’s intentions weakened his position. As one observer noted, “Trump’s hunger for a deal doesn’t mean others will play along.”

The Trump-Putin summit, meant to end the Ukraine war, ended in disappointment. With no agreement and Putin’s demands unmet, the path to peace remains uncertain. Ukraine and its allies now face increased pressure to compromise, while Putin gains diplomatic leverage. Trump navigates this complex crisis, with hopes for a resolution fading.