U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to negotiate a ceasefire deal for Ukraine during a summit in Alaska last Friday. However, the meeting did not yield the expected results, as Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to gain more from the discussions while conceding little in return.

Trump's current stance includes the possibility of ceding a significant Ukrainian province in exchange for NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv. However, the lack of concrete details raises concerns about the feasibility of such an arrangement.

Expectations for the summit were low among Ukrainians, particularly in Odesa, and among influential political commentators in the country. Many believed the summit would merely postpone tougher sanctions against Russia and its allies. Despite ongoing efforts by European and American lawmakers to impose economic penalties on Moscow, Trump has intervened to halt these measures, advocating instead for peace talks based on his friendly exchanges with Putin.

These negotiations have consistently faltered due to Russia's unreasonable demands. Putin has insisted that Ukraine must cede four provinces—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—and abandon all international security alliances while significantly reducing its military forces. Such conditions would effectively ensure Ukraine's subjugation or annexation, as the majority of the country's defensive positions are located within these regions.

Kyiv has been unable to accept these maximalist terms, as it would mean agreeing to its own dismemberment. While Ukraine's European allies have recognized Putin's lack of sincerity regarding peace, Trump seemed to only come to this realization recently. Following Russia's continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump’s rhetoric towards Putin shifted dramatically. He accused the Russian leader of making “bulls–t” statements and issued an ultimatum for a ceasefire by early August, threatening consequences if it was not met.

When the deadline passed without action, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on India, a major buyer of Russian oil and gas, rather than the anticipated 100 percent tariffs on Russia and its partners. He then announced the Alaska summit, suggesting that further sanctions should be postponed in light of renewed peace talks. This shift in strategy raised questions about Trump's sudden optimism regarding Putin and the likelihood of reaching a viable agreement, especially given Russia's lack of willingness to reconsider its demands.

In the lead-up to the summit, U.S. officials reportedly offered Russia access to Alaska's natural resources, particularly rare earth minerals, contingent on a peace deal. The guest list for the summit hinted at a focus on Russo-American economic cooperation, reflecting Trump's previous interest in establishing a trade alliance.

However, these aspirations were quickly dashed during the summit. Putin and his delegation received a red carpet welcome and reportedly presented historical documents claiming that Ukraine is an artificial nation, further complicating the prospects for a successful negotiation.