
18/08/2025
Aftermath of the Trump-Putin Summit: A Fragile Path Toward Peace in Ukraine
Written by Oladigbo Olalekan, Lagos, Nigeria. Author of Trump’s Not Done With Washington: The Return of the MAGA White House
The recent Trump-Putin summit in Alaska has opened a new chapter in the search for peace between Russia and Ukraine. While the meeting did not produce an immediate ceasefire agreement, it set in motion a process that could lead to a historic peace deal if all parties act in good faith.
Yet, there are forces determined to undermine this progress simply because it was Donald Trump who initiated the talks. Liberal media outlets and Democrats and some career politicians have tried to downplay the significance of Putin’s visit to the United States, twisting the narrative to suggest that the summit was somehow a “victory” for Putin. They argue that, because no deal was reached and no new sanctions were imposed, Moscow came out ahead. This narrative ignores the clear warning President Trump gave aboard Air Force One: if a deal is not achieved, additional sanctions on Russia will follow.
Meanwhile, the peace process continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington to advance the discussions, but the involvement of European leaders raises new concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to join Zelensky for a meeting in the Oval Office. While cooperation is important, there is a real danger that the EU could derail progress by making unreasonable demands that Vladimir Putin will never accept.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on NBC Meet the Press and ABC this week interviews rightly stated, both sides must be willing to make sacrifices and concessions if they truly want peace. Therefore i think If European leaders use this moment to push President Zelensky away from compromise, the United States should not be forced to continue funding a war that Europe refuses to resolve responsibly.
The Alaska summit laid the groundwork for peace. It is now up to Ukraine, Russia, and Europe to seize the moment. If the EU chooses to play politics instead of pursuing genuine solutions, President Trump would be righ