Putin isn’t seeking peace that’s why Alaska meeting won’t change that – ISW expert
A representative of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), George Barros, commented to Ukrinform news agency that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to compromise to achieve peace in Ukraine, so the upcoming U.S.-Russia summit on U.S. soil will unlikely change this.
George Barros“Putin has expressed no desire to compromise on his war goals. I don’t think that’s likely to change at the summit on Friday,” he said.
Barros commented on expectations surrounding the Trump-Putin summit scheduled for August 15 and ISW’s recent assessments that the Kremlin is trying to use the meeting to sow discord between the U.S. and Europe.
He stressed that the United States has enormous power and leverage and can achieve results if it uses them fully.
“So far, the U.S. government has refused to use the full extent of its capabilities to bring Putin to the table,” Barros noted.
By way of background, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin are set to meet on August 15 to seek an agreement to end the war in Ukraine that could cement Russia’s occupation of part of its territory.
Read also: 76% of Ukrainians reject Russian “peace terms” – poll
Trump signalled Ukraine may have to cede territory to end the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2015 in Ukrainian Crimea.
Ukraine urges the international community to unite to restore global security under the UN Charter and strengthen sanctions against Russia to enforce this country’s compliance with international law. Following Russia’s initial invasion in 2014, Ukraine has pursued the liberation of its territories within its internationally recognized 1991 borders while developing comprehensive reintegration strategies and policies for all liberated areas.
Russia has consistently insisted that Ukraine recognise Russian sovereignty over several Ukrainian regions, agree to demilitarisation, abandon its Nato aspirations, and impose a “neutral” status for Kyiv. Ukrainian legal experts explained that Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s “neutral” status is legally baseless and would set a dangerous international precedent.
On August 9, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier, as this step would violate the Constitution of Ukraine. The President reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any solution for peace.
“We are ready, together with President Trump, together with all partners, to work for a real, and most importantly, lasting peace – a peace that will not collapse because of Moscow’s wishes,” Zelenskyy said.
Read also: Ukraine will not allow Russia a ‘second attempt’ to divide its territory – Zelenskyy
Zelesnkyy said in his evening address that he had heard a report from intelligence and military commanders on August 11 about what Putin is hoping for and what he is actually preparing for.
“So far, there is no indication whatsoever that the Russians have received signals to prepare for a post-war situation. On the contrary, they are redeploying their troops and forces in ways that suggest preparations for new offensive operations,” the President of Ukraine said.
On the night of 9-10 August, the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland, and the UK, the president of the European Commission, and the president of Finland released a joint statement addressed to Trump and Putin.
On 11 August, Donald Trump announced at the press conference that Zelenskyy would not be present at his talks with Putin. The U.S. President said he was not happy about Zelenskyy’s arguing that Ukraine’s Constitution would need to be amended in order for territory to be exchanged as part of a potential peace deal.
“I was a little bothered by the fact that Zelenskyy was saying, ‘Well, I have to get constitutional approval’ – I mean, he’s got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap. Because there’ll be some land swapping going on, I know that through Russia and through conversations with everybody – for the good of Ukraine,” U.S. President said. As it is known, when the Russian Federation started its military aggression in February 2014, occupying the Crimean Peninsula and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, Zelenskyy wasn’t the President of Ukraine. He was elected as President in 2019.
French President Emmanuel Macron also stated on X that Ukraine’s future could not “be decided without the Ukrainians” and warned that “Europeans will also necessarily be part of the solution, as their own security is at stake.”
A German government spokesperson told Politico that Merz organized a videoconference on August 13 before the expected meeting between Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska. The leaders plan to discuss options for pressuring Russia, Ukraine’s occupied territories, security guarantees for Ukraine, and potential stages of peace talks.
Officials scheduled three consecutive videoconferences. The first, at 2 p.m., will last about an hour and bring together leaders from Germany, France, the UK, Poland, Italy, and Finland, alongside heads of the European Commission and European Council, the NATO secretary-general, and Ukraine’s President.
At 3 p.m., another discussion will include Trump, Vice President JD Vance, EU leaders, and Zelenskyy.
Finally, the coalition of the willing — military allies supporting Ukraine — will hold a joint call at 4:30 p.m., led by Germany, Britain, and France.
