When U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska for high-stakes peace talks, the spotlight was on handshakes, limousines, and photo ops. But the real gift Trump gave Putin wasn’t ceremony—it was time.
On the battlefield, Russia has only a short window to make major advances in Ukraine before the cold, muddy weather slows everything down. That means every extra week counts for Putin. Right now, his troops are pushing hard in eastern Ukraine, hoping to turn small, costly gains into something more significant before mid-October.
What Happened in Alaska
Despite fears, the Alaska summit didn’t produce a rushed “peace deal” that favored Moscow. In fact, no deal emerged at all. That was a relief for Ukraine, which had braced for the possibility of Trump and Putin drawing up a quick fix on a napkin that would leave Kyiv cornered.
Still, Putin walked away with what he wanted most: more breathing room. Trump backed away—again—from tough secondary sanctions that could hit Russia’s oil and gas sales, instead putting pressure on allies like India and China to curb their support.
The talks also made clear that Putin isn’t in any hurry at the negotiation table. He’s pushing for demands Ukraine can’t possibly accept, like full control of the Donbas region. And while he talks about “peace,” his version would mean Ukraine’s surrender.
How Trump Looked at the Summit
Trump didn’t exactly look thrilled. There was no shared lunch, no warm invitation to Moscow, and barely any smiles. Reports suggest he left the summit frustrated, even telling Fox News he regretted agreeing to certain interviews. His body language hinted that he knew little real progress had been made.
What It Means for Ukraine
For Ukraine, the outcome is complicated. On one hand, there was no disastrous peace plan forced on them. On the other, Trump seems to have softened on demanding an immediate ceasefire—something Ukraine and its European allies had counted on.
Instead, Trump is nudging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider whatever deal Putin puts forward, however lopsided it may be. That shift could leave Kyiv under growing pressure from both Washington and European capitals.
The Bigger Picture
Putin’s strategy is clear: drag out talks, make demands Ukraine can’t accept, and use every delay to gain more ground. He has no election clock ticking, while Russia’s strained economy still manages to limp along under Western sanctions.
For Trump, the clock is ticking differently—he wants results he can show quickly. For Zelensky, every lost week means more destruction, more civilian deaths, and fewer options on the battlefield.
The coming weeks will be crucial. If Putin keeps stalling and Europe keeps pushing for compromise, Ukraine may find itself in a tougher spot than before the Alaska summit—even without a signed deal.
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