Much of the world’s media has been closely following the high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin over the weekend. With the possibility of a ceasefire on the table, expectations were high that the talks could mark a turning point in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump entered the discussions with trademark confidence, declaring that he would present an offer “too good to refuse” while warning of “serious consequences” if his terms were rejected.
Yet, despite hours of private conversation, the summit concluded without a formal ceasefire agreement. While the U.S. president described the meeting as having made “great progress,” Putin remained firm in his demands — reportedly pushing for Ukraine to surrender vast areas of territory, including regions where Russian forces have not been able to take control. Understandably, this is a position Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
Mediating the conflict has long proven extremely difficult, with previous attempts by world leaders failing to find common ground. Trump, however, has made it clear he believes he can succeed where others have not. According to reports, he and Putin spoke privately for three hours during the summit.
Continue reading on next page…