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| Donald Trump / Vladimir Putin |
A historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage concluded with an air of cautious optimism, though a definitive peace deal to end the war in Ukraine remains elusive. The summit, the first of its kind between the two leaders in over four years, was marked by both pomp and political intrigue, with European nations notably absent from the negotiating table.
The summit's atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the Western narrative of Russia's diplomatic isolation. Putin was received on U.S. soil with full military honors, a welcome that appeared to signify his continued status as a leader of a major global power. This high-profile reception, including an escort by U.S. Air Force jets, was seen by many as a clear symbol of the shifting geopolitical landscape, leaving many European leaders on the sidelines.
During a press conference following the talks, both leaders characterized the discussions as "productive" and a "major step forward." Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov described the talks as "excellent," while Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign investment fund, stated they had gone "incredibly well." President Trump later told Fox News host Sean Hannity that a deal was close but emphasized that it would ultimately be up to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept it.
While details of the private discussions remain secret, Russia's long-standing demands for a comprehensive peace agreement are well known. They include Ukraine's formal recognition of territories annexed by Moscow, a ban on anti-Russian groups and political parties, the restoration of the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the formal relinquishing of Ukraine's ambition to join NATO. Reports suggest that Russia may have offered a more limited proposal, potentially freezing the frontlines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and requiring a Ukrainian withdrawal only from Donetsk and Luhansk.
This potential arrangement has been met with a mixed reaction, particularly in Kyiv, where a high-ranking official reportedly described it as a "stab in the back" to the Financial Times. The European Union, which was not invited to the summit, has also expressed its strong disagreement with any territorial concessions.
A delegation of European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is reportedly traveling to Washington to meet with President Zelenskyy and to urge him to continue the fight, despite the military realities on the ground.
The European position, outlined in a joint communiqué, insists on upholding Ukraine's territorial integrity and its right to join NATO, seemingly ignoring the military balance of power. This has placed President Zelenskyy in a difficult position. He has already stated that ceding land would be unconstitutional, a position that many observers believe is not sustainable given the current military situation.
As the international community watches, the coming weeks will be critical. The outcome of President Zelenskyy’s upcoming meeting with President Trump in Washington could determine whether the war in Ukraine ends through diplomacy or continues toward a potentially catastrophic conclusion. Many believe that the U.S. is prioritizing a swift resolution to the conflict to focus on a broader foreign policy shift toward China, and they are prepared to make concessions to Moscow to achieve that goal.
The European leadership, in its continued opposition to a negotiated settlement, risks alienating its most crucial ally and prolonging a war that could leave Ukraine and the continent in a far worse position.