Alaska summit underscores fraught diplomacy

A high-stakes meeting exposes gaps between grand theatrics and real diplomacy as Trump and Putin meet amid European backing for Zelensky.

Trump's Alaska Summit Falls Short

The Alaska summit unfolded more as a staged display than a serious negotiation. European leaders joined Ukrainian President Zelensky in Washington to press for a credible ceasefire and durable diplomacy. Trump offered few concrete terms while Putin projected himself as a peacemaker even as Russian missiles continued to strike Ukraine. The ceremony on the tarmac with flyovers and a long welcome underscored drama over disciplined diplomacy.

Analysts say Trump shifted away from seeking a ceasefire toward a demand for a final settlement, a move critics say would empower Moscow. Zelensky insists any peace must begin with halting the violence and preserving Ukraine's sovereignty. Finland's NATO accession and the show of European unity signal a sustained effort to deter aggression and keep Europe engaged. The episode raises the risk that a US pivot to Putin's preferred script could set a dangerous precedent for future negotiations.

This episode reveals a pattern in Trump diplomacy treat talks as theater chase a quick win and hope the optics carry the deal. The European bloc's presence shows a counterweight but personal bravado can erode credibility and leave allies guessing where the US stands.

Finland's role and the united European flank hint at a longer, multiyear effort to deter Russian aggression. The right path, many experts say, pairs a real ceasefire with negotiations anchored in sovereignty accountability and security guarantees. The risk is that embracing Putin's frame could hollow out Western resolve and invite future coercion.

Highlights

The next steps will test whether Western unity remains a factor in shaping real diplomacy