The highly anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15. While the discussions were cordial, they yielded no agreements regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted since February 2022. The summit lasted just over two hours, significantly shorter than the expected six to seven hours, and the planned lunch was canceled, with journalists barred from asking questions. Despite the lack of tangible outcomes, both leaders exchanged compliments.

Putin adeptly echoed Trump's sentiments, asserting that had Trump been in office four years earlier, the Ukraine conflict might have been avoided. He stated, “I’m quite sure it would indeed be so,” and also supported Trump's claims regarding the alleged rigging of the 2020 election.

In return, Trump praised Putin, calling him a 'strong guy' and described their meeting as 'very productive,' noting several points of agreement. However, following the summit, Trump’s tone shifted. Just days before, he had warned Russia of severe consequences if a ceasefire was not achieved, yet he later suggested on Truth Social that a direct peace agreement would be the best way to resolve the conflict, rather than a temporary ceasefire.

Trump informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Putin had proposed freezing most front lines in exchange for Ukraine ceding control of Donetsk, a key industrial region. Currently, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, including a significant portion of Donetsk, which it first invaded in 2014.

On Fox News, Trump advised Zelenskyy to 'Make a deal!' However, the nature of the proposed deal appears to be unfavorable for Ukraine. Putin expressed hope that European nations would not interfere or engage in backdoor negotiations that could hinder progress.

In Europe, the summit was perceived as a diplomatic win for Putin, who has sought to break free from geopolitical isolation. His image was notably enhanced on the global stage following the meeting, despite ongoing war crime allegations against him. This marked Putin's first visit to the US in a decade, where he was welcomed with fighter jets and a ride in the presidential limousine.

Looking ahead, a significant meeting is scheduled for August 18 in Washington, originally planned between Trump and Zelenskyy, but now including various European and NATO leaders. This delegation features prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The presence of European leaders alongside Zelenskyy underscores their support for Ukraine, aiming to avoid a repeat of the tense meeting Zelenskyy had with Trump in February. As the situation unfolds, the path to peace has been outlined, but the timeline for achieving it remains uncertain.