In recent months, the Russian army has faced significant challenges in its campaign in Ukraine, experiencing heavy losses while struggling to make meaningful territorial gains.
While the military front remains bleak, Russian President Vladimir Putin has managed to secure a notable diplomatic achievement by holding a summit with President Donald Trump.
The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, marked by an atmosphere of camaraderie. The two leaders exchanged warm gestures, with Trump applauding Putin’s arrival on the red carpet before guiding him into the presidential limousine, where Putin was seen wearing a broad smile.
Their nearly three-hour conversation produced minimal public statements, but both leaders expressed agreement on several unspecified matters. Putin explicitly mentioned Russia’s security concerns and praised Trump for his effort to grasp the historical context of the ongoing conflict.
According to Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the US, discussions during the summit extended beyond the Ukrainian crisis, delving into concrete bilateral issues. He indicated that significant topics included the return of six Russian diplomatic properties allegedly seized during Joe Biden’s presidency and the restoration of direct air travel between Russia and the United States.
Interestingly, Trump appeared to pivot away from his previous call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, instead showing inclination towards addressing Russia’s demand for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
Subsequently, he shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that both the European Union and Ukraine aligned with his perspective that a peace agreement should be pursued as the most viable solution to end the conflict.
Despite this apparent shift in tone, the summit ultimately avoided potential pitfalls. Unlike the 1938 Munich Agreement, where Western leaders appeased Hitler’s demands, Trump refrained from endorsing any Russian territorial claims, thereby sidestepping the worst possible outcome.
For Putin, the summit represented a tactical success, allowing him to project an image of being treated as a leader of a major power. This meeting asserted that the Kremlin could negotiate on its terms, especially following its controversial invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to international condemnation and perceived pariah status.
The question now arises: what implications does this have for Ukraine and its European allies?
As it stands, Trump remains steadfast in his views about Ukraine and continues to express admiration for Putin’s leadership style.
For European leaders in Brussels and London, as well as Ukrainian officials in Kyiv, maintaining engagement with Trump is essential. Continued US support is crucial for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
While Europe has taken on increased responsibility for funding its military capabilities, it cannot quickly fill the gap left by the US, even with significant investments.
Trump appears more focused on broad themes of peace rather than the intricate details that are critical to Ukraine’s survival. For Kyiv, these details represent its very existence, while Europe views Ukraine’s fate as pivotal to regional security against potential future Russian aggression.
To influence Trump, Ukraine and its allies may need to adopt strategies that resonate with his interests. An approach similar to Putin’s could be beneficial, notably by appealing to Trump’s ego—a tactic that Putin effectively utilized by complimenting Trump’s leadership qualities.
Ongoing diplomatic efforts are crucial, particularly as it pertains to reframing Trump’s perception of the Ukrainian conflict.
It is essential to recognize that Trump prioritizes American energy exports, competition with China, and overall US economic dominance over the immediate issues in Ukraine.
The choice of Alaska as the summit venue underscores Trump’s focus on broader geopolitical dynamics, linked to his interest in areas like Greenland and the Arctic region.
Engaging Trump’s attention on how Russian actions pose threats to US interests is vital. An alleviation of sanctions might allow Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to impact the pricing of US LNG exports. Meanwhile, Putin’s economic strategies have increasingly tied Russia to China, potentially undermining US economic leverage.
Putin’s ambitions extend beyond immediate territorial disputes; they encapsulate a broader aim to reorganize global power structures. Contrarily, Trump perceives the Ukraine conflict as an understandable yet burdensome distraction from his agenda.
For Ukraine and the West, understanding Trump’s perspective could create pathways to demonstrate the risks involved with complacency towards Putin’s ambitions.
The stakes are high: should the West fail to navigate these dynamics effectively, the summit’s legacy may not echo the failures of history like Munich but could instead establish a new Yalta—a scenario in which spheres of influence are redrawn primarily along Moscow and Washington’s dictates, potentially compromising European security.
image source from：aljazeera
