Edith Hejberg
President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a potential end to the three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war.
The high-stakes meeting has drawn global attention, but many analysts are doubtful it will yield any real progress toward peace.
Trump Says He’ll Know in Minutes If Deal Possible
Speaking on Monday, Trump claimed he could assess Putin’s intentions almost instantly. “At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made,” he told reporters.
His confidence, however, is met with skepticism from foreign policy experts.
Experts Warn of Slim Chances for Resolution
Daniel Hamilton of the Brookings Institution cautioned against high expectations, saying the talks are “unlikely to produce anything remotely acceptable to Ukraine.”
He urged “extreme caution” ahead of the meeting, noting the deep divides between both sides remain unresolved.
Ukraine Firm on Rejecting Concessions to Russia
Sources say Ukraine will “outright reject” any proposal from Putin that involves compromising territorial sovereignty.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has been vocal about opposing any agreement that fails to meet Ukraine’s terms for a full and unconditional ceasefire.
Putin Accused of Playing for Time
Hamilton suggested Putin may use the Alaska meeting to stall, influencing Trump toward Russian positions and delaying tougher U.S. sanctions.
Such a move, he warned, could undermine Washington’s support for Ukraine and prolong the war.
Risk of Sanctions Easing Weighs on Talks
Analysts fear the meeting could prompt a pause or rollback of sanctions on Russia, especially if Trump hesitates to escalate penalties.
That would ease economic pressure on Moscow at a critical time and could embolden further military aggression.
Calls for Stronger Action Against Russia
Ryhor Nizhnikau of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs argued that the most effective tools against Moscow are energy sanctions targeting countries purchasing Russian oil, alongside a major boost in military aid to Ukraine.
Concerns Trump May Sidestep Ultimatum
Nizhnikau also warned that Trump could use the summit as a way to avoid enforcing his own ceasefire deadline.
Such a move, he said, would be “bad news,” encouraging Moscow and Beijing to continue their current strategies unchecked.
No Change in Putin’s War Stance
Experts agree that Putin’s position on the war remains unchanged. “He wants to continue the war,” Nizhnikau said, adding that the Kremlin leader aims to shift blame onto Ukraine while avoiding harsher U.S. measures.
