Analysis of the Alaska Summit and Its Implications
Former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul said the Alaska summit left the advantage to Vladimir Putin after former President Trump conceded the negotiating ground far too rapidly.
Putin's Strategic Success
McFaul agreed with earlier assessments that Putin succeeded in shaping the terms of discussion. He described Trump’s swift retreat as unexpectedly abrupt and compared the dynamic to the Helsinki summit, where Trump accepted Putin’s narrative about the 2016 election.
Impact on Ukraine and Future Negotiations
That shift, McFaul warned, complicates matters for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The proposal that Ukraine would withdraw from positions in the Donbas as part of a ceasefire, he argued, is not realistic.
Russia's Goals and U.S. Involvement
McFaul noted that Russia has sought control of the Donbas since 2014 and has not succeeded. Now, he said, Putin appears to be seeking U.S. help through Trump to achieve those aims.
Outlook for Negotiations
Given those realities, McFaul predicted talks would be protracted and unlikely to produce a substantial, rapid set...