Inside Putin's make-or-break Alaska mission to seduce Trump
dailymail.co.uk -- Friday, August 15, 2025, 1:16:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Categories: Foreign Policy & International Relations, U.S.–Russia Relations, U.S. Elections & Voting Rights
President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in a summit filled with intrigue, fraught with risk and carrying the potential for serious consequences for the future of the grinding war in Ukraine.
Foreign policy experts exclusively tell the Daily Mail that Putin's strategy in Anchorage on Friday will be to isolate Trump from Ukraine and Europe and turn the US from a loyal supporter into a mere bystander.
Whether Trump emerges from the meeting smitten, seething or skeptical will determine whether another meeting's in the cards or if the president has finally reached the end of his patience with Putin's three-and-a-half year invasion.
Given the stakes, experts say it's no surprise the White House is furiously trying to tamp down expectations for any immediate progress and characterizing Friday as 'feel-out' session.
'The Kremlin's strategy in Ukraine is to reduce the conflict into a one-on-one matchup,' said Peter Rough of the Hudson Institute. 'Putin will want to sidestep US sanctions and rebuild relations with Trump ... If he can drive a wedge between the US and Europe, all the better.'
Daniel Fried of the Atlantic Council said the summit may have been built on false premises altogether given the tea leaves coming out of Moscow.
'The US may have agreed to this Alaska meeting under the mistaken impression that Putin was prepared to negotiate an end to the conflict in good faith. Now that this appears not to be the case, the Trump administration is trying to lower expectations,' Fried said.
Instead of granting Putin the benefit of the doubt, Trump should take the opportunity to engage in classic coercive diplomacy and hold his feet to the fire, Rough argues.
Notably, this trip marks the Russian president's first trip to the United States in a decade. The last time here was in America was for the U.N. General Assembly in New York
Skepticism hangs in the air about what could be accomplished between the two world leaders, especially since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be in attendance
Air Force One at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage
'Put the choice to Putin: either agree to a ceasefire that reflects the current line of contact or face US and European economic pressure on a scale not yet seen,' he said.
The Trump-Putin summit will also be missing an integral partner in any peace deal: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky has firmly rejected any land swaps with Russia, including Crimea and Donbas, due to constitutional prohibitions and the belief that ceding territory only benefits Russia strategically.
Read More Trump says 25% odds Putin meeting ends in FAILURE
Zelensky and European allies emphasize that peace talks must include Ukraine and affirm that territorial changes by coercion are unacceptable.
While Trump has proposed a potential swapping of territories to end the war, Zelensky has characterized that idea as 'dead.'
European leaders have echoed Zelensky's stance, emphasizing that Ukraine must determine its future and warning against being cut out of discussions, as they could demand harsher terms on Russia than Trump might.
Former State Department Diplomacy Consultant John Sitilidis said any inkling of Trump concessions to Putin will face 'profound headwinds' among allies.
And anything Putin promises behind closed doors will be greeted with a heavy helping of skepticism.
'Putin may agree tactically to a mirage of negotiations to forestall Trump's secondary sanctions, and Zelensky is realizing that the longer he waits, the worse his options to rescue his country from further Russian devastation,' Sitilidis said.
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Members of the military stand outside an entrance to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska is an area long recognized by both nations as a strategic Cold War battleground, marked by surveillance networks and covert intelligence activity
A view of the city as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base on August 12, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Trump and Putin will meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, with duration still unclear.
The president is reportedly preparing to offer Putin access to Alaska's mineral-rich areas and ease aviation sanctions to end the Ukraine war, according to the Telegraph.
Asked specifically about whether he was prepared to offer Putin access to rare earth minerals to get a deal, Trump didn't take it off the table.
'We are going to see what happens,' he responded to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon.
He also admitted to Fox News host Brian Kilmeade that there's a '25 percent' chance his meeting with Putin winds up as an overall failure.
But he's hopeful that a deal can get done.
'I make deals,' Trump said Wednesday, with the lure of a Nobel Peace Prize potentially driving his diplomatic gambit.
But Trump has also flashed his willingness to drop the hammer.
A member of the military on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Elmendorf Air Force Base
Trump firmly stated that Russia would face severe consequences if it doesn't end the war, but he's backed away from that iron-fisted promise before.
Guardian columnist Rafael Behr believes the President might follow through this time, writing, 'the damage will be done if he emerges from negotiations parroting talking points from the Kremlin script... Trump's newfound skepticism about Putin might withstand corrosion by flattery.'
The president said he would judge whether what came out of the meeting was ultimately a 'fair deal', making known his willingness to walk away from a bad deal, and let the two sort it out on their own.
Zelensky has said that any peace deal must start with a ceasefire or some kind of truce, saying a resolution can't work when drone and rocket barrages continue, and land is seized.
Zelensky has said that any peace deal must start with a ceasefire or some kind of truce
Last week, Putin made a point of saying he wasn't against meeting with Ukraine's president, but that certain conditions needed to be met for the meeting and that they were 'still a long way off'
According to Daniel Fried, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, President Trump should increase pressure on Russia going into this Summit, so Putin knows he means business
If the war carries on, the next most urgent question facing the Trump administration will be whether to continue to fund it.
Vice President JD Vance told Fox News earlier this week that the U.S. was done 'with the funding of the Ukraine war business,' even after the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $800 million military aid package to Ukraine in late July.
'Even if the Trump Administration is not pursuing any new aid packages for Ukraine, it is happy to sell arms to NATO to transfer to Kyiv,' said Sitlilidis, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said.
Fried says the most practical settlement of the conflict would involve a ceasefire, along the existing front lines ans security from Ukraine.
But even he admits it's far-fetched.
'Russia will never agree to anything adequate,' Fried said.
Experts say European and UK advice to the Trump team has been important, but could prove to be essential in the prospect of peace
The setting for the summit is 'America's Last Frontier,' an area long recognized by both nations as a strategic Cold War battleground, marked by surveillance networks and covert intelligence activity.
Alaska was once part of the Russian Empire and was sold to the United States in 1867 for over $7 million. This visit will mark the first time a Russian president has set foot on Alaskan soil since the sale.
Notably, this trip also marks the Russian president's first trip to the United States in a decade. The last time he was in America was for the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
The last time Trump meant Putin in 2018 the meeting ran more than two hours.
But the selection of the military installation on this trip was also meant to send a message: The extra security, the New York Times reported, would facilitate the president's wishes for a shorter trip.
Sign Our PetitionThe recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has sparked a host of critical discussions regarding international diplomacy, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the broader implications of great power politics in our increasingly interconnected world. As we dissect the layers of this meeting, it is essential to understand the historical context in which these events unfold, particularly the legacies of imperialism, national sovereignty, and the geopolitical chess game that continues to shape global relations today.
Historically, the relationship between the United States and Russia has oscillated between cooperation and antagonism, often influenced by domestic political dynamics. The Cold War era exemplified this tension, where ideological battles defined foreign policy decisions. Fast forward to the modern era, and we see remnants of this rivalry manifesting in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 highlighted the fragility of post-Soviet territorial integrity and the importance of national self-determination. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s firm stance against territorial concessions underscores a broader struggle for sovereignty that resonates deeply with populations worldwide who have faced imperialist pressures.
The summit's strategic framing reveals an unsettling reality: Putin's approach seems to aim at isolating the United States from its European allies and converting it from an active supporter of Ukraine into a passive bystander. This tactic not only threatens the fragile alliances that have been painstakingly built over decades but also risks undermining the principle of collective security that has been a cornerstone of international relations since World War II. The warning from foreign policy experts, that Putin aims to sidestep U.S. sanctions and weaken transatlantic unity, should serve as a rallying cry for those who advocate for a coherent and unified response to authoritarian aggression. The political ramifications of this summit extend beyond the immediate discussions; they raise crucial questions about the future of global governance and the responsibilities of powerful nations to uphold international norms.
Moreover, the absence of Ukrainian President Zelensky from the meeting is a glaring omission that reflects a troubling trend in diplomacy—negotiating peace without the involvement of the affected parties. This practice perpetuates a cycle of disenfranchisement and resentment among nations that have historically been marginalized in international dialogues. The idea of negotiating territorial swaps, as suggested by Trump, not only disrespects Ukraine's sovereignty but also sets a dangerous precedent for international relations, where might can overshadow right. The rejection of such proposals by Zelensky is emblematic of a broader resistance against concessions that would ultimately benefit aggressors at the expense of victims, a lesson that resonates across many historical conflicts.
The current geopolitical landscape is further complicated by the realities of economic power and the influence of public opinion on foreign policy decisions. The potential for a “coercive diplomacy” approach, as suggested by experts, advocates for a more robust use of economic pressure against Russia to ensure compliance with international laws and norms. However, the efficacy of such strategies remains a subject of debate, especially given the asymmetrical nature of power in global politics. The challenge lies in balancing diplomatic engagement with firm stances against aggression, a tightrope that has eluded many leaders throughout history. This summit could represent a missed opportunity to reinforce commitments to democratic values and human rights, which should guide U.S. foreign policy.
As citizens and advocates for social justice, we must remain vigilant about the implications of international summits such as this one. The choices made by world leaders affect not only the immediate regions of conflict but also the global order and the principles that govern it. Engaging with history provides us with critical insights into the potential paths forward, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, respect for sovereignty, and the necessity of addressing root causes of conflict rather than merely the symptoms. The lessons of the past remind us that true peace is built on justice and equity, not on the whims of power brokers in distant capitals. In the face of such complex challenges, we must advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of all nations and strive for a world where cooperation prevails over coercion.
In the wake of the recent summit between President Trump and President Putin in Anchorage, there is a critical need to analyze the implications of this meeting not just for the immediate actors involved, but for the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The stakes are incredibly high; with Putin’s past behavior indicating a penchant for manipulation, it is essential to scrutinize how this meeting could either fortify or undermine international norms regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. The historical context of U.S.-Russia relations, particularly since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, is paramount in understanding the gravity of this summit. The challenge lies in disentangling U.S. foreign policy from the whims of individual leaders, particularly when those leaders possess a documented history of dubious commitments to diplomacy.
Historically, the U.S. has positioned itself as a champion of democratic values and sovereignty, particularly in Eastern Europe. The annexation of Crimea was not merely a regional issue; it represented a broader challenge to international law and the post-World War II order. As such, it is troubling that Trump’s engagement with Putin could signal a willingness to sidestep these principles in favor of transactional diplomacy. Foreign policy experts warn that Putin’s ultimate goal may be to isolate the U.S. from its European allies, thereby weakening collective efforts to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine and beyond. Such a scenario would not only embolden Putin but could also set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes.
As American citizens, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant and proactive in holding our leaders accountable. This summit serves as a clarion call for grassroots action. We must advocate for a foreign policy that is rooted in democratic values and the protection of human rights. Engaging in open dialogues with our representatives, participating in town hall meetings, and supporting organizations that emphasize international accountability can help ensure that our government does not veer towards a path of appeasement. Moreover, raising awareness about the consequences of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty is crucial. This could involve organizing community events, educational forums, or utilizing social media to spread information about the implications of U.S. foreign policy on global peace and security.
Furthermore, the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the summit underscores the necessity of inclusive diplomacy. Peace negotiations regarding Ukraine must involve all relevant parties, particularly those directly impacted by the conflict. The notion that territorial swaps could be a viable solution is deeply flawed and undermines the principles of self-determination. By advocating for Ukraine's voice in discussions about its future, we can push back against the dangerous narrative that legitimizes the forcible alteration of borders. We need to foster a wider understanding that the path to sustainable peace lies not in coercive measures but in dialogues that respect the autonomy and rights of all nations involved.
In conclusion, the Trump-Putin meeting serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for democratic integrity on the global stage. It is a reminder that the actions of individual leaders can have far-reaching consequences, but it also emphasizes the power of collective action. As citizens of a democracy, we have the agency to shape the discourse around foreign policy and insist on accountability. By championing a framework that prioritizes human rights and sovereignty, we can work towards a more just international order. The challenges are significant, but through informed engagement and persistent advocacy, we can ensure that the U.S. remains a steadfast ally to those who strive for peace and justice, particularly in regions like Ukraine, which are currently under threat.
In light of the recent summit between President Trump and President Putin, there are significant actions we can take as individuals to influence the course of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict. This situation underscores the importance of grassroots advocacy and direct communication with our representatives. Here’s a detailed list of actions we can personally pursue:
### 1. **Educate Yourself and Others** - **Action:** Stay informed about the Ukraine conflict and U.S.-Russia relations by reading credible news sources and analysis. - **Example:** Share articles, fact sheets, and book recommendations on social media or community forums to raise awareness.
### 2. **Engage with Elected Officials** - **Action:** Contact your congressional representatives to express your views on the U.S. approach to Russia and Ukraine. - **Who to Write To:** - **Your U.S. Senator (Find your Senator's contact info)** - **Your U.S. Representative (Find your Representative's contact info)** - **Example Contact Information:** - **Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)** - Email: schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck - Mailing Address: 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 - **Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)** - Email: ocasiocortez.house.gov/contact - Mailing Address: 118 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 - **What to Say:** - Express your concerns about the summit's implications for Ukraine. - Urge them to support policies that emphasize diplomatic solutions that include Ukrainian voices.
### 3. **Sign and Share Petitions** - **Action:** Sign and promote petitions that advocate for a clear and ethical U.S. stance in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. - **Example Petition:** - **Change.org: "Support Ukraine's Sovereignty"** - URL: [Change.org Petition](https://www.change.org/p/support-ukraine-s-sovereignty) - **What to Say:** Encourage friends and family to sign and share the petition, emphasizing the importance of collective action.
### 4. **Support Humanitarian Aid Initiatives** - **Action:** Contribute to or volunteer with organizations providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. - **Example Organizations:** - **Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)** - Website: [Doctors Without Borders](https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/) - **Ukrainian Red Cross** - Website: [Ukrainian Red Cross](https://redcross.org.ua/en/) - **What to Say:** Share information about these organizations on social media, highlighting their impact on the ground.
### 5. **Engage in Local Advocacy** - **Action:** Join or support local advocacy groups focused on peace and diplomatic solutions to international conflicts. - **Example Group:** - **Peace Action** - Website: [Peace Action](https://www.peaceaction.org/) - **What to Say:** Attend meetings and contribute ideas on how to mobilize community support for Ukraine.
### 6. **Use Social Media Effectively** - **Action:** Utilize platforms to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine and advocate for a strong, principled U.S. foreign policy. - **What to Post:** - Infographics summarizing the conflict, calls to action, and updates on U.S. legislation regarding Ukraine.
### 7. **Participate in Public Demonstrations** - **Action:** Attend rallies or protests that advocate for a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. - **Example Event:** - Look for local events through platforms like Eventbrite or community bulletin boards. - **What to Say:** Use chants and signs that promote peace and solidarity with Ukraine.
### 8. **Support Responsible Journalism** - **Action:** Subscribe to or donate to independent media outlets that cover international issues with depth and integrity. - **Example Outlets:** - **The Guardian** - **ProPublica** - **What to Say:** Share articles with your network to encourage informed discussions about the Ukraine conflict.
By taking these actions, individuals can contribute to a broader movement advocating for a responsible U.S. approach to foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, human rights, and the voices of those directly affected by the conflict. Each of these steps, whether small or large, contributes to creating a more informed and engaged citizenry capable of influencing policy decisions at the highest levels.