Trump rejects ceasefire, seeks Russia-Ukraine peace deal after summit with Putin

After three hours of negotiations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin failed to reach a ceasefire agreement for the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The summit, held on August 15, 2025, was marked by gestures of rapprochement between the two leaders but ended without concrete progress. On Saturday, August 16, Trump announced via Truth Social that he rejects an immediate truce and advocates for a direct “peace deal” to end the conflict. He confirmed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday, August 18, and suggested the possibility of a tripartite summit with Putin. The Alaska meeting, the first between U.S. and Russian leaders since 2021, reignited debates about the role of American diplomacy in resolving the war.

The lack of immediate results sparked mixed reactions. While Trump called the meeting “highly productive,” Putin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict, maintaining demands such as the annexation of Ukrainian territories. Zelensky, who did not attend the summit, expressed concern over continued Russian attacks during the talks.

• Key points from the summit:
  • The meeting lasted about three hours, shorter than the seven hours planned.
  • Both leaders avoided detailing agreements, sticking to vague statements.
  • Putin was welcomed with a red carpet and applause from Trump, signaling rapprochement.
  • Zelensky stressed the need for security guarantees for Ukraine.

Rapprochement between Trump and Putin

Vladimir Putin’s arrival in Alaska was marked by a warm reception. Trump, waiting on the tarmac, applauded the Russian leader, who responded with smiles and gestures of approval. The image of both in the U.S. presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” went viral, symbolizing a shift in U.S.-Russia relations. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin has faced diplomatic isolation, exacerbated by an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for war crimes, limiting his travels to non-ICC signatory countries like the U.S.

The summit, held at a Cold War-era military base, was the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin since 2018. Analysts note that the choice of Alaska, a former Russian territory sold to the U.S. in 1867, carried historical symbolism used by Putin in his speech. He highlighted the “neighborhood” between the two nations, separated by just 88 km in the Bering Strait, and praised the “constructive atmosphere” of the talks.

However, the meeting yielded no clear progress. Putin reiterated maximalist demands, including Ukraine’s demilitarization and recognition of occupied territories like Donetsk and Luhansk, which were rejected by Kyiv and European allies. Trump claimed “many points were agreed upon” but avoided specifics, promising talks with Zelensky and NATO leaders.

Zelensky and Europe’s reactions

Volodymyr Zelensky’s absence from the summit caused tensions. In a post on X, the Ukrainian president noted that Russian attacks continued in cities like Sumy, Dnipro, and Kherson during the talks, resulting in civilian deaths. He called for a “just end” to the war and supported Trump’s proposal for a tripartite summit, provided Ukraine is included.

• Zelensky’s statements:
  • Emphasized the need for security guarantees for Kyiv.
  • Criticized ongoing Russian attacks during the talks.
  • Confirmed meeting with Trump at the White House on August 18.

European leaders, who followed the summit with apprehension, fear Trump may pressure Ukraine to cede territories for peace. In February 2025, an emergency summit in France brought together representatives from Germany, the UK, and NATO to align positions. They urged Trump not to negotiate Ukrainian lands without Kyiv’s presence, demanding any deal include security guarantees.

War context and Russian demands

The war in Ukraine, ongoing since 2022, has left thousands dead and displaced. About 20% of Ukrainian territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, is under Russian control, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Putin conditions peace on accepting these annexations, Ukraine’s demilitarization, and exclusion from NATO—demands deemed unacceptable by Kyiv.

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Trump, who campaigned on ending the conflict in 24 hours, acknowledged its complexity. Before the summit, he threatened harsher sanctions on Moscow but refrained from mentioning new measures post-meeting, suggesting talks may continue. The proposed tripartite summit, mentioned by Trump, was met with caution but seen as an opportunity to include Ukraine in discussions.

• Key Russian demands:
  • Recognition of sovereignty over occupied territories.
  • Demilitarization and neutrality of Ukraine.
  • Lifting of Western sanctions against Russia.
  • Change in Ukraine’s government, rejected by Zelensky.

Diplomatic impact of the summit

The Alaska summit marked a significant rapprochement between the U.S. and Russia, breaking years of diplomatic isolation for Putin. For the Russian leader, visiting the U.S., even at a military base, was a symbolic victory, reinforced by the absence of new sanctions. Trump, meanwhile, aims to solidify his image as a global mediator but faces criticism for excluding Zelensky from the initial talks.

The meeting also exposed divisions between the U.S. and its European allies. NATO leaders, like Secretary-General Mark Rutte, await details of the talks, while European media question whether Trump is willing to concede to Russian demands for a quick deal. Putin’s proposal for a new meeting in Moscow was met with reservations by Trump, who admitted it could spark criticism.

Prospects for the tripartite summit

The announced meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House on August 18 will be pivotal. Zelensky stressed that any agreement must ensure Ukraine’s security and respect its sovereignty. Trump, in his Truth Social post, claimed a “peace deal” could save “millions of lives” but provided no details on terms.

Putin suggested discussing a new nuclear arms control agreement, a proposal that may interest Trump but adds complexity to the talks. The possibility of a tripartite summit with Zelensky, Putin, and Trump was welcomed by Kyiv but hinges on concrete progress in the coming weeks.

• Expectations for the White House meeting:
  • Discussion on security guarantees for Ukraine.
  • Alignment with NATO allies.
  • Potential planning for a tripartite summit.
  • Clarification of “agreed points” from Alaska.

Military situation and future negotiations

As diplomatic talks progress, the conflict on the ground remains intense. Reports indicate Russian forces intensified offensives in Donbas, exploiting gaps in Ukrainian defenses. The continuation of attacks during the summit was criticized by Zelensky, who highlighted civilian deaths in five regions.

Trump’s push for a “peace deal” over a ceasefire reflects his strategy to prioritize a definitive solution, but it faces hurdles. Putin’s reluctance to compromise on territorial demands and pressure from European allies to include Ukraine in decisions complicate the scenario. The White House meeting will test Trump’s ability to balance the interests of Kyiv, Moscow, and NATO.