Putin-Trump Talks: Two Potential Outcomes and the Shifting Geopolitics

Ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, indications suggest that the Russia-Ukraine war is heading towards a destructive turn. This is fueled by the stance of Zelensky and European leaders, who seem to neither agree with the Trump-Putin talks nor desire an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The crucial question is, what happens if the talks fail? The future of the Ukraine-Russia war will be decided in Alaska on August 15th. This day holds significant weight, as the meeting between Putin and Trump could potentially make history. Trump, agreeing to Putin’s conditions, is poised to approve a territorial exchange. This decision will come in the form of a deal with Putin, potentially opening two doors: the establishment of peace in Ukraine and Europe, or a path of destruction from Ukraine to Europe. This is an assessment, and the first evidence of this is Zelensky’s rebellious behavior towards Trump’s peace efforts.