Ukraine Summit: Low Expectations Amid Stalled Conflict

The upcoming U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, set to address the ongoing Ukraine conflict, has sparked limited optimism. With the war in Ukraine stalled for years, expectations for a breakthrough remain low. President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are set to meet amid a conflict that has seen gradual territorial gains for Russia, reducing the risk of escalation but also hardening Moscow’s stance.
Putin has insisted on significant concessions from Ukraine, including renouncing NATO membership and territorial concessions, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shown little willingness to compromise, citing constitutional prohibitions against ceding territory. Despite dwindling public support for the war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s political survival appears tied to maintaining an intransigent position.
European efforts to keep the U.S. deeply involved in the conflict have included proposing a plan for Ukraine to accept territorial losses in exchange for potential NATO membership. However, Trump has previously resisted such security guarantees, recognizing the limited U.S. interests in the conflict.
As the summit approaches, experts caution against repeating past policies that relied on endless weapons shipments and unrealistic expectations. Patience and low expectations are seen as the most prudent approach for the U.S., avoiding entanglement in a conflict with limited strategic importance.

Published: 8/15/2025