On the August 17, 2025, episode of "Face the Nation," host Margaret Brennan engaged in discussions with several prominent figures regarding the recent U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska and its implications for Ukraine. The guests included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill, and Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, also joined the conversation following his trip to Gaza.

The episode opened with a recap of President Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which concluded without a formal agreement. Trump described the meeting as a success, stating, "I think the meeting was a 10 in the sense that we got along great. And it's good when two big powers get along."

However, the aftermath raised concerns among Ukraine and its allies. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine is set to meet with Trump and European leaders to discuss the next steps, as Putin continues to demand the return of territories seized during the ongoing conflict. Secretary Rubio acknowledged the complexities of the situation, stating, "Ultimately, yes, the root cause is that Russia invaded in the first place. But... both sides are going to have to give, and both sides should expect to get something from this."

Rubio emphasized the importance of finding common ground to end the conflict, which has persisted for over three years. He noted that the U.S. cannot dictate terms to Ukraine, as any peace agreement must be acceptable to both parties involved.

Rep. Jason Crow expressed his concerns about the U.S. response to the conflict, labeling the summit as a "historic embarrassment" for the United States. He criticized the administration for not applying enough pressure on Putin, stating, "What Vladimir Putin cares about is basically three things: economic pressure in the form of sanctions, political isolation, and military defeat."

Crow also reflected on the U.S. military's role, suggesting that more aggressive support for Ukraine could have altered the battlefield dynamics. He stated, "I was concerned that we were doing just enough to prevent Ukraine from losing and not doing enough to help them win."

Fiona Hill, who served as a senior director for European and Russian affairs, compared the Alaska summit to the controversial Helsinki summit in 2018. She noted that the optics of the meeting favored Putin, suggesting that the U.S. appeared to be accommodating him rather than asserting its position. Hill remarked, "It really looked like Putin had set the agenda there, the narrative and, in many respects, the tone for the whole summit meeting."

The discussion also touched on the potential for security guarantees for Ukraine, with Hill emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach involving European nations. She stated, "This is about Europe's future and the future of European security, not just about Ukraine's."

As the episode concluded, the guests highlighted the ongoing challenges in negotiating peace and the necessity for a unified strategy to address the conflict in Ukraine.