Putin open just to brief ceasefire with Ukraine - WSJ
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
In Ukraine, Europe, and among Washington’s allies, concern is growing over the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, The Wall Street Journal reports.
WSJ notes that while the meeting could be beneficial, it also carries risks if there is no clearly defined agreement. Concern arose over Trump’s shift in approach: after Russia’s ultimatum ended on August 8, he did not impose tough measures but instead sent special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow. Later, media reports surfaced about possible deals involving territorial exchanges between Ukraine and Russia.
One version suggests the Kremlin might agree to a ceasefire on the condition that Ukraine cedes the entire Donetsk region, including areas not currently controlled by Russia. Meanwhile, Kyiv could regain some occupied territories, though details remain unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already rejected this plan, emphasizing Putin’s unreliability.
Particular concern centers on the fact that the Trump-Putin meeting will occur without Ukrainian representatives. The WSJ remarks that a true peace deal is hard to imagine without Zelenskyy’s involvement. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speculated that Trump aims to personally test Kremlin intentions while coordinating support for arms supplies to Ukraine.
The authors believe Putin has no interest in preserving Ukraine’s independence and seeks to integrate the country into Russia. He may only agree to a short-term truce favorable to Moscow. Experts argue real peace will only be possible when the war threatens Putin’s political survival.
According to the WSJ, this requires increased economic pressure on Russia and providing Ukraine with all necessary defense resources. Although Trump’s hard ultimatum caught the Kremlin's attention, he did not sanction China nor coordinate with the EU on using the frozen $300 billion in Russian assets.
WSJ concludes: Trump wants to appear as a peacemaker, but genuine and lasting peace will only be possible when the deal guarantees Ukraine’s right to determine its future and prevents renewed Russian aggression.
Trump-Putin meeting
This Friday, August 15, a meeting will take place in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump announced that he would demand that Putin end the war. According to him, the main goal of the negotiations is to agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
At the same time, the American leader did not rule out discussing a possible territorial exchange between Ukraine and Russia, including the return of some lands.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that territorial issues are enshrined in the Constitution, and Ukraine will not hand over its lands to the occupiers. He also pointed out that Russia is promoting the idea of such an exchange without any security guarantees.
Later, Trump clarified that the US, together with its partners, will seek to return some occupied territories to Ukraine, but some land exchanges, according to him, will still take place.
