Published 15/08/2025 20:44
The almost three-hour meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on the basis of Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, was more than a diplomatic gesture: he symbolized the end of a period of political isolation to the Russian leader since the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Received with unusual pomp for a US historical opponent-including presidential limo. Beast ” – Putin had the opportunity to dialogue directly with the US president without the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky or European leaders.
Although the Ukraine war was announced as a central agenda, the result fell short of the expectations of a ceasefire. There were only vacant references to “important advances” and a nod for new meetings, possibly even in Moscow.
Diplomatic victory for Moscow
For Putin, the simple realization of the meeting was once a triumph. Since the beginning of the war, Russia had been excluded from international forums and the Russian leader was limited to allies such as China, Belarus and North Korea. Meeting with the chief of the largest military power in US territory represented the chance to show that he is still an indispensable actor in global chess.
The expanded format – with present chancers and advisors, breaking with the “closed doors” approach of 2018 – did not diminish the importance of the gesture. On the contrary, it gave Putin space to present the central demands of Moscow again: guarantee that Ukraine will not integrate NATO and recognition of the occupied areas, about 20% of the Ukrainian territory.
Trump’s political calculation
Trump, in turn, sought to project the image of pragmatic negotiator, capable of “preparing the scenario” for an agreement, without taking on the burden of decisions alone. He repeated that it will be up to Kiev to decide on territorial concessions, but did not openly rule out the possibility of “exchange of territories”, something that meets Kremlin’s interest.
Internally, the posture generates political risks: by offering a warm reception to Putin and excluding Zelensky from the table, Trump weakens the western line of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and is exposed to criticism that he would be giving way to Moscow in exchange for strategic gains for the US.
Concern in Europe and Kiev
For Kiev, the meeting represented a symbolic setback. Zelensky said the war continues “because there are no signs of Moscow” that he intends to end it, and stressed that he expects the US a firm position. The European Union, in turn, has already warned of any solution that implies forced alteration of the Ukrainian borders.
The exclusion of the Ukrainian President of the dome fees fears that a possible agreement is bilaterally sewn, regardless of Kiev’s priorities.
No change in the battlefield
While Trump and Putin exchanged compliments and signaled future meetings, the fighting in Ukraine continued. Russian missiles and drones continued to reach Ukrainian cities, and Kremlin troops slowly advanced in the east. The only practical measure discussed so far has been a limited agreement to exchange prisoners and remains of combatants.
A TIME GAME
Putin seems to bet on strategic patience: Keeping dialogue open with Washington, avoiding new harsh sanctions and consolidating gains on the ground before any formal commitment. Trump, on the other hand, seeks to politically capitalize on the image of mediator without directly linked to the outcome of war.
The result, for now, is a diplomatic impasse: personal rapprochement between leaders, but no concrete solution to the conflict that has lasted more than three years and redefined safety lines in Europe.
Source: vermelho.org.br
