Trump Faces Final Dealmaking Test at Putin Summit

Alaska Summit: Trump‑Putin Meeting as Ukraine’s Futures on the Line

Trump’s Unusual Ice‑breaker with Russia

After a four‑year gap, U.S. President Donald Trump will host Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. The pair will discuss the war in Ukraine, a subject that has tested the president’s diplomatic record.

That Anchorage dialogue follows the 2018 Helsinki summit, where Trump’s visibly overwhelmed performance has lingered in public memory.

Why Trump invited Putin

• Putin himself proposed the Alaska talk, a strategy that Trump accepted despite his public criticism of Russia’s refusal to stop the conflict.
• Trump’s drive to “look across the table” shows a rare gesture of humility in his reputation for bold deal‑making.
• The meeting removes the long‑standing Western boycott of the Russian president, a boycott that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Trump’s Diplomacy: The “Feel‑out” Question

Trump’s aides have worked to downplay the significance of the summit. Secretary State Marco Rubio noted that a meeting is not a “concession.” The president said the brief talk would not in itself trigger a Ukraine deal.

On Saturday, Trump will speak immediately after the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. They insist that Ukraine not be left out of talks about its future.

European Press: Trump’s “Peace” Attempt

Liana Fix, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said there is a “very strong urge” in Donald Trump to bring peace to Ukraine, even if it is just for a short moment. She added that the president wants the image of him agreeing with Putin to a ceasefire.

Shift in Trump’s Strategy

Trump vowed to end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House. The war’s toll has forced him to change tactics. He criticized Zelensky in a heated White House meeting, then threatened sanctions on Russia, only to agree to meet Putin.

Russian analyst Konstantin Kalachev said merely holding such a summit is a victory for Putin. He noted that Putin made no significant concessions, and the lack of new U.S. sanctions is an “unconditional victory” for Russia.

Potential Path to a Deal

George Beebe, former CIA director of Russia analysis, said Trump could start outlining a deal to end the war. He suggested Russia might consider eventual EU membership for Ukraine if it stays out of NATO.

“As long as that relationship is limited to political and economic ties rather than military commitments, I think that’s something that they can live with,” Beebe said of Russia.

Reality Check: Expectations vs. Outcomes

Beebe warned that the short‑notice summit raises expectations that may not be met. “Trump is tackling a politically fraught issue, and there is absolutely no guarantee that this will be a success,” he said.