Trump’s Putin Gambit Failed—but Maybe It Was Still Worth Trying

Trump’s Putin Gambit Failed—but Maybe It Was Still Worth Trying

Successful diplomacy of any kind requires some kind of high-stakes compromise.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15. August 15, 2025, 10:06 PM Comment icon View Comments ( )

Trump’s Second Term

Ongoing reports and analysis

U.S. President Donald Trump drew a lot of flak for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin onto U.S. soil for the first time in a decade, complete with a red carpet, a bright “Alaska 2025” sign, and a joint news conference . That was despite getting little from the Russian leader beforehand, save a pledge to continue killing Ukrainians and seizing their territory if the summit d