The recent summit between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska caught the attention of the whole world. It was expected that after this meeting, some concrete solution would be found regarding the Ukraine war. But in reality this did not happen. More than two weeks have passed since the meeting and no meaningful progress has been seen so far.
Trump has said publicly many times that he is very “disappointed” with Putin. His stance suggests that perhaps now he can move towards imposing strict economic sanctions on Russia, about which he has been warning earlier.
Increased clash after Alaska summit
On August 15, the two leaders met in Anchorage, Alaska. After the meeting, Trump clearly said that if Russia does not start talks with Ukraine within two weeks, then it may have to face “serious consequences”. This deadline has passed and the situation remains the same.
On the contrary, Russia meanwhile intensified its attacks on Ukraine. Especially the bombing of civilian areas has shaken the whole world. In such a situation, pressure is mounting on the US administration that now only talks will not work, but concrete steps will have to be taken.
Preparation for economic sanctions
US Finance Minister Scott Bessant said on Sunday that “all options are open”. That is, now more stringent economic sanctions can be imposed on Russia. He clearly criticized Putin’s behavior and said that after the Alaska meeting, Russia has increased the bombing in a “very shameful way”.
Economic sanctions can mean that American investment in Russia’s energy sector is banned, or a very high tariff is imposed on Russian goods.
For example, the “Sanctioning Russia Act 2025” proposed in the Senate includes strict conditions like:
- Imposing tariffs up to 500 percent
- A ban on American investment in Russia’s energy sector
Pressure on the economic front can be a big setback for Russia. The combined economy of the US and the European Union is about 25 times larger than that of Russia. In such a situation, if Western countries unite and put pressure, then Russia’s position may weaken.
Why are the talks getting stuck?
A major reason for Trump’s displeasure is that Putin has not yet agreed to hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. There was hope in the Alaska meeting that Putin would agree, but later Russia flatly refused.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that at present there is no agenda for any meeting. Putin constantly questions Zelensky’s legitimacy and refuses to recognize his government.
Russia’s tough conditions
Putin’s demands are also very strict. He wants:
- Ukraine should become completely neutral, that is, not join NATO.
- The entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk should be considered occupied by Russia.
- Ukraine should stay away from any Western military alliance in the future.
These demands are actually like the “complete defeat” of Ukraine. Analysts believe that this is not an agreement but an end to Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The horror of war
On August 28, Russia launched a major attack on Kiev. More than 20 civilians were killed in this attack, including 4 children. The attack took place in an area that was far from the front and was an area with completely civilian settlements.
This attack sparked further outrage in the US and Europe. Trump called it “unacceptable”. He said that this proves that Russia is trying to increase the war instead of ending it.
Pressure from the US Congress
Not only the President, the US Parliament i.e. Congress is also now demanding strict action against Russia. More than 80 MPs in the Senate have supported the bill for new sanctions on Russia. This shows that now the atmosphere in America has become more strict regarding Russia.
Congress argues that nothing will happen with just talks. If Russia has to be forced, then pressure will have to be put on the economic front. This may make it possible to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
Trump’s dilemma
Trump himself admitted that bringing Putin and Zelensky together is like mixing “oil and vinegar”. That is, the thinking and attitude of both are so different that it seems almost impossible to unite them.
He even said that if there is no progress, he can also leave the role of mediator. That is, the US can withdraw by saying “this is your war”. However, this step will weaken America’s credibility in global politics.
Eyes of the international community
The whole world is currently keeping an eye on American decisions. If Trump imposes tough economic sanctions on Russia, it will not only affect the Russia-Ukraine war but also the global economy.
- Energy prices may rise
- The gas crisis in Europe may deepen
- Food inflation in developing countries may increase further
On the other hand, if the US continues to rely only on negotiations, it will give Russia more time and perhaps the war will drag on longer.
Conclusion
The hopes that were raised by the Alaska summit are now slowly fading away. Trump is disappointed, Congress is putting pressure and Russia is adamant on its terms.
In such a situation, the question is whether America will really impose strict economic sanctions on Russia in the coming days or the process of talks will continue like this.
One thing is clear – the Ukraine war is no longer an issue of just two countries. It is affecting the politics, economy and security of the entire world.
