Marta Gichko08:34, 13.08.25

The first meeting between Putin and Trump since the start of the war in Ukraine could end with symbolic gestures without any real agreements.

US President Donald Trump has announced a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska . The main topic of the talks will be the war in Ukraine. For Putin, this summit will be a diplomatic victory, as he has achieved a personal meeting without commitments to a ceasefire or dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, writes Forbes .

Despite previous threats of new sanctions against Russia if fighting continued, Trump agreed to his first face-to-face conversation with Putin since the invasion began. The American leader himself explained this by his desire to “understand the position” of the Russian president, insisting that he would not allow Putin to “manipulate” him.

Experts note that both leaders have a reputation for strength, but have repeatedly backed down on their own ultimatums. Putin maintains high levels of support in Russia – 86% versus 63% before the war – despite significant human and economic losses. The Kremlin increasingly relies on authoritarianism and patriotic rhetoric, and is willing to bring in foreign mercenaries, particularly from North Korea, if necessary.

At the same time, Putin has repeatedly backed away from making tough threats, particularly after the US and UK provided Ukraine with long-range weapons. Likewise, Trump has repeatedly delayed sanctions despite his own warnings.

Official Washington is positioning the upcoming meeting as a “fact-finding mission,” but experts doubt that significant progress will be made. Putin’s demands for control over Ukraine and a change in its leadership are unacceptable to Kyiv, and the absence of the Ukrainian side at the summit reduces the chances of real agreements.

“Without Ukraine’s presence to defend its point of view, the Alaska summit is likely to result in symbolic gestures and unfulfilled promises,” the publication concluded.

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