President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to make peace or face sanctions is set to coincide with a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin. Trump announced the summit will take place in Alaska next Friday, August 15, the very day his ultimatum to the Kremlin expires.
This scheduling adds a dramatic layer of pressure to the talks. Trump has been vocal about his readiness to impose further penalties on Russia, complementing existing measures like the new 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. His meeting with Putin represents a final diplomatic off-ramp before potentially escalating economic warfare.
Despite the looming threat, Trump projected optimism, suggesting a peace deal involving territorial swaps is achievable. This concept has alarmed European allies, who worry that Trump might legitimize Russia’s land grabs in a bid to secure a quick end to the war, potentially sidelining Ukraine in the process.
The reality on the battlefield remains divorced from these diplomatic maneuvers. Intense fighting continues in the Donetsk and Sumy regions, with Ukrainian soldiers expressing determination to “stand our ground.” This hardened stance, shared by military analysts, suggests that any peace forged in Alaska may be difficult to implement on the ground.
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