Washington DC, August 20(HS):
Two high-profile summits in less than a week have underscored Donald Trump’s eagerness to cast himself as the statesman who ends the Ukraine war – but progress remains elusive.
The U.S. president hosted European leaders in Washington after a heavily choreographed meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Both gatherings offered lofty rhetoric but little substance. While Trump floated possible U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, he suggested that such assurances might be limited to air support, with Europe carrying most of the burden.
Trump also teased plans for a Zelensky-Putin summit followed by a three-way session, though conditions remain vague and European leaders insist on a ceasefire beforehand – something Trump himself downplays.
The talks were notably cordial compared to past tensions, with Trump relishing his role as global mediator. Yet his strategy leans heavily on the assumption that Putin is serious about making a deal – even as Russian forces grind ahead on the battlefield.
For Europe, securing American involvement is vital; for Trump, the calculus is clouded by his unpredictable style and a political base wary of foreign entanglements. The U.S. may hold leverage, but as analysts note, Trump also retains the power to simply walk away.
“Progress has been made,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb remarked, “but the foundations are fragile.”
With pressure mounting and Putin’s intentions uncertain, Trump’s quest for peace in Ukraine remains a high-stakes gamble – one where his legacy may hang in the balance.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
