Following a three-hour summit in Anchorage last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders in Washington on Monday. This meeting was characterized by many observers as a significant diplomatic effort, particularly for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A major outcome of the Washington meeting was the agreement on NATO Article 5-style security measures for Ukraine. These safeguards could involve European and potentially U.S. monitors on the ground as part of ongoing peace negotiations. Trump claimed that Putin had supported this concept in principle during their discussions in Alaska. However, the Russian foreign minister later contradicted this, stating, "Moscow won’t agree with collective security guarantees negotiated without Russia."

Despite the differing narratives, there is a prevailing belief in Washington that these meetings may pave the way for a trilateral summit involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia to discuss peace before the end of the month. Trump’s stance on Ukraine has varied significantly since he took office. He has often sought to build rapport with Putin while occasionally criticizing Zelenskyy for what he perceives as a lack of gratitude.

During the Anchorage summit, the atmosphere appeared favorable for Putin, with little focus on contentious issues or Ukrainian interests. Putin did not offer any concessions regarding his objectives and dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, which had been a primary goal for Trump. As a result, the U.S. delegation returned from Alaska without any significant achievements, contrary to expectations set by Trump’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Despite the lack of progress, Trump rated his meeting with Putin as a "10 out of 10" and has shown reluctance to leverage the economic power of the U.S. to impose further sanctions on Russia. This hesitance contrasts sharply with the approach of former President Ronald Reagan, who advocated for "Peace Through Strength."

The only notable display during the Anchorage meeting was a flyover by a U.S. B-2 bomber and advanced fighter jets. Both Putin and European leaders expressed admiration for Trump during their meetings, albeit in different ways. Putin suggested that the conflict would not have occurred if Trump had been in office and claimed that the 2020 U.S. election was "rigged." European leaders echoed sentiments that Trump was the "only person" capable of initiating peace talks, aligning with his desire to "stop the killing."

This flattery seemed to resonate with Trump, who has aspirations for a Nobel Peace Prize. However, the invitation extended to Putin for the Anchorage summit has drawn criticism, as it seemingly rehabilitated his status on the international stage without any repercussions. For over 25 years, Putin has aimed to restore the Russian empire, a goal that is fundamentally at odds with Ukraine's sovereignty. Ukraine has fought fiercely for its independence over the past three years, viewing the conflict in both moral and existential terms, while Putin sees it as essential to his ambitions of reviving the Soviet empire.