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Alaska Summit Fails to Generate a Ceasefire

  • Writer: Luke Thompson
    Luke Thompson
  • Aug 17
  • 2 min read

Updated: Sep 5

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in dark suits stand on a stage outdoors, shaking hands firmly. Large white block letters in front of the stage spell “ALASKA 2025.” Behind them, Air Force One and a grey military jet are parked on the runway, with a red carpet rolled out on the tarmac. The sky above is overcast.
Trump and Putin at Alaska Summit. Photo: @potus/Instagram

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are yet to convene a ceasefire for the Ukraine-Russia War after the summit in Alaska this week.


Trump called the conversation “productive,” though no agreement was reached to suspend fighting. Instead, he shifted focus, pushing Zelenskyy to pursue a broader peace deal. 


“Ukraine’s gotta make a deal,” Trump told reporters.


“A ceasefire won’t fix this. We need a full agreement, fast.”


The US President implied peace could resemble territorial compromises and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine and Russia, though he avoided specifics. 


Putin welcomed Trump’s approach and expressed a willingness to move forward diplomatically, though failed to offer a ceasefire or indicate a reduction in military aggression. 


Two men in dark suits stand in front of a bright blue backdrop with the words “Pursuing Peace” and “Alaska 2025” printed across it. Vladimir Putin on the left wears a black suit with a burgundy tie, standing with his arms by his sides and a neutral expression. Donald Trump on the right wears a navy suit with a bright red tie, smiling directly at the camera. Between them is a small round table with papers and two ornate wooden chairs with cream-coloured cushions.
It was hoped that the Alaska Summit would prompt a peace promise. Photo: @potus/Instagram

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not invited to the Alaska talks, reacted cautiously. He confirmed plans to meet Trump in Washington next week, saying Ukraine remains open to peace but not at the cost of its sovereignty. 


“No deal is better than a bad deal,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.


European leaders responded with concern. 


German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. 


“Any agreement must be based on Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders,” Merz said.


Trump’s new approach marks a departure from both NATO and current U.S. policy, which has emphasised military aid and sanctions rather than diplomacy with Putin. 


Critics say bypassing Ukraine in early talks gives Moscow an upper hand. Supporters argue Trump’s strategy could speed up an end to a war that has dragged on for more than three years.


On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “A real peace deal - not just a ceasefire - is the only way to end the horrific suffering. I’m the only one who can get it done.”


As fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, attention now turns to next week’s Trump–Zelenskyy meeting. Whether a three-way framework for peace is possible remains uncertain, but the diplomatic landscape is clearly shifting.


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