I don’t know what the odds of success are, but I am in favor of a peace deal.
Clashing Objectives
The problem with a summit between all the parties is Putin, Ukraine, Europe, and Trump all have hugely clashing objectives.
Trump was wise to narrow this summit down to himself and Putin. Still, that’s difficult enough.
The Wall Street Journal reports Trump, Putin Head to High-Stakes Alaska Summit With Clashing Objectives
By meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, President Trump is hoping to forge in person what he hasn’t been able to accomplish by phone—a partnership with the Kremlin leader to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin is coming to Alaska with a very different goal: keeping in Trump’s good graces while pursuing his longer-term ambition of reasserting Moscow’s dominance over Kyiv.
Their high-stakes talks at a military base on the outskirts of Anchorage will prove a revealing test of wills over which of the two presidents will back down, even if only temporarily, to avoid a breakdown in relations that neither seems to want.
After initially playing down the summit as a “feel-out meeting,” Trump in recent days has said he would urge Putin to accept a cease-fire in Ukraine, seeking to jump-start long-stalled negotiations.
If Putin agrees, Trump says he will bring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into the talks, potentially flying him to Alaska for in-depth conversations about a longer term peace agreement involving territorial concessions, security guarantees for Ukraine, and U.S. arm sales to Kyiv.
Should Putin balk, Trump is threatening Moscow with “very severe consequences,” possibly including sanctions on major buyers of Russian oil, such as China. The U.S. could also decide to withdraw from the peace process altogether, he said, leaving Moscow and Kyiv to continue the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Trump Would Walk
ABC News reports Trump says he ‘would walk’ if Putin meeting doesn’t go well.
President Donald Trump told Fox News that if his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t go well, “I would walk.”
“Heading in, what’s your initial feeling? How are you feeling about what you’re going to get out of this?” Fox News’ Bret Baier asked Trump.
“I think we’re going to do very well. Our country is doing very well. We’re setting records economically like we never have before, including the stock markets are all at record high. We’re taking in trillions and trillions of dollars with tariffs. We’re going for a meeting with President Putin in Alaska, and I think it’s going to work out very well. And if it doesn’t, I’m gonna head back home real fast,” Trump said.
Conflicting Goals
On the surface, Trump’s line of talk “I would walk” makes little sense because Putin would be happy if Trump walked.
Trump has threatened Putin many times before with “severe consequences” only to deliver nothing, so why should Putin believe otherwise now?
Trump’s problem is he wants the war to end, but much of his base does not want Trump to give more weapons to Ukraine.
This is why Trump has backed down from all of his threats.
The Oil Threat
Trump threatens sanctions on Russian oil. So what? China will buy that oil and so will India.
China holds the cards here because if Trump raises tariffs, China can withhold rare earth minerals the US desperately needs.
Trump’s oil threat is an idle one, and Putin has to know that.
ABC Update
Ahead of Friday’s high-stakes meeting, President Donald Trump said that he wants to see a ceasefire negotiated or “I’m not going to be happy.”
“But I want to see a ceasefire rapidly,” Trump said. “I don’t know if it’s going to be today, but I’m not going to be happy if it’s not today,” Trump said on Air Force One.
“Everyone said it can’t be today, but I’m just saying, I want the killing to stop. I’m in this to stop the killing,” Trump continued.
Trump is in this to “stop the killing”.
I am all for that. Best wishes Mr. President.
Related Posts
August 4, 2025: Trump Increases Tariffs on India, Demands India Stop Buying Russian Oil
King Deal is now in command of all deals globally.
Also consider China Again Chokes Off Critical Rare Earths Needed for Defense
Trump threatened China with tariffs for doing business with Russia. Guess what?
China may not be at the table directly, but indirectly China is in control of some of Trump’s threats.
Here’s a question: how is America worse off if Trump agrees to the minimum Russian goals (which are on the Kremlin’s website and have not changed one bit since April 2024):
-4 oblasts 100%
-demilitarization of Ukraine
-denazification of Ukraine
-No NATO no EU, ever
-human rights for ethnic Russians and Orthodox church
-return of $300B stolen from people of Russia frozen in EuroClear
The only people who will lose are the Graham group who have their snouts in the military spending trough: “On July 31 2025 Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced new legislation to provide Ukraine with an additional $54.6 billion”
Oh well, it’s only fiat money right?
It was a good meeting. It’s all about a ceasefire, not territorial exchange. It’s not about nothing. Trump didn’t stab Zelensky in the back. Stage #1: stop the killing. He already settled disputes in Armenia and Thailand. Stage #4: the Kursk and Belgorod for Kherson Zaporizhzhia nuke.
If Zelensky refuses Russia might push back Ukraine excursion, takes Kharkov and move further west towards the Dnieper river..
At least Putin didn’t ask to go to Disneyland.
It’s over, and no deal. Better than another stupid deal, I guess.
Looks like Trump got his leash jerked… hard.
“Best wishes, Mr. President.”
Amen.
In the news conference with Putin Kamala couldn’t stop laughing about nothing.
Hillary nominated Kamala to a Nobel Peace Prize.
Nobel Pizza Prize
I think the homeless people in DC, San Fran, NYC, etc are about to volunteer to join the Russian army.
It’s worse than that…the world has seen TACO cave every time and what would any agreement matter anyway when Trump will likely renege at his next tantrum or dementia attack?
It’s all a circus show to distract the masses, same show different season, it’s a bridge until football “gladiator” season starts up again and the slave masses are distracted with the hopes to feel like champions with their team’s win. It helps sooth the daily misery a bit. Rinse & repeat until next season.
It’s all very sad but the best way to cope is with a bit of profits from it all and moving on.
Well just saw the newscast live and circus act confirmed. It’s a big nothing burger.
“If Putin agrees, Trump says he will bring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into the talks, potentially flying him to Alaska for in-depth conversations about a longer term peace agreement involving territorial concessions, security guarantees for Ukraine, and U.S. arm sales to Kyiv.”
It seems like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s main job for his country is begging funds to travel the globe begging funds. What is the Ukrainin on the street’s view of him? Is he relevant in his own nation?
Latest Gallup poll had 69% of Ukrainians in favor of a negotiated settlement. Zelensky is refusing, preferring to sacrifice Ukrainians while he and his cronies sock away money. He’s as Ukrainian as I am Israeli.
The same poll has Zelensky’s approval rating at 67%, 7 points higher than a year ago. And it also shows most ukranians do not expect the war to end this year. And finally, a negotiated settlement is not the same thing as territorial concessions.
London and Brussels are refusing.
whatever happens we know Trump will claim a massive win and Fix News and Breitbart will say it’s the biggest win in the history of the world.
He’s trying something. Last guy hid in the white house basement – or was hidden in the white house basement by others? .
No deal or agreement will mean a thing. The US routinely uses any agreement to disarm the other side and gain temporary or permanent advantage.
For those hoping for peace, please suggest a single step that Trump might agree to:
69% of Ukranians are ready to deal even if it involves land. 99% of new progressive war mongers and old republican war mongers won’t take anything but absolute capitulation on the part of Russia (which will never happen). Some of MAGA is behind negotiations and compromise, and some of MAGA is with the war mongers. I hope that the realists win out over the Chairborne Rangers and that a deal can be struck that doesn’t cost too too much and allows Putin to walk away with a story he can sell as a win.
Putin has a black belt in judo and martial art. He suffers from arthritis in his hips and
his lower back. Trump and Melania adore Putin.
Why we think this is different than Taco trade deals. Main issue is Trump cannot be trusted and changes his stance on everything on weekly basis.
So there is little reason for Putin to give any concession here.
Plus Putin will not end war that he is slowly winning, there is very little incentive for him on it.
But I think Putin will agree to cease fire as an act of gratitude that Trump wanted to meet him in person, he is 1st western world leader to meet with Putin in last 3 years ending this isolation.
Next I see Putin just breaking this cease fire after few weeks and continue his war effort when this meeting press cycle ends.
Are you sure Putin is slowly winning?
No way any ceasefire lasts weeks. MI6 will have Ukraine firing into Russia proper sooner than that.
You mention about Trump continually changing his stance on just about everything he puts out there. I agree. I also bring up how Reagan was seen by the USSR during his administration. The Soviets were interested if Reagan would keep his commitment to breaking the Professional Air-Traffic Controllers strike (PATCO). The Soviets could care less about the air-traffic control situation in the USA. They just wanted to know if Reagan was serious about what he was stating. He was, and the Soviets found out very quickly to pay strict attention to the proclamations emitting from the Reagan administration. I think it is the complete opposite with our current administration
If Putin doesn’t agree Trump should cut off ALL Russia transactions with our banks and any other legal sanctions. Putin won’t give in unless he is FORCED to.
… and the Epstein videos would be leaked soon after.
He might go for it, nobody seems to be able to do anything about his raping of minors. It’s not like it’s in question at this point.
puta.
Russia is already cut off from banks.
Years ago
Trump should have brought Cookies – Nuland.
99% chance trump makes a stupid deal that gets us nothing… just like all the other stupid deals he’s made since taking office.
puta
puta.
What should “us” get? Does Russia have something “we” need?
How about Rare Earths so we aren’t so beholden to China.
Why did they meet, then?
As a result of this meeting, I expect to see Ukraine divided into two distinct countries; East Ukraine (Russian Speaking) and West Ukraine (Ukrainian Speaking).
Perhaps they could build a wall down the middle, like Berlin did, to keep the Russians from escaping the hellhole they created for themselves.
puta.
They have a natural wall in the form of the Dnieper river.
Ukraine demands $800B/$1T in reparation, including Russia frozen gold and foreign exchange reserves, as Bismarck got from France. Reconstruction will cost about $1T. The US and the E3 will lend Ukraine at low rates. Zelensky signed a Land Lease agreement with Trump. Reconstruction Ukraine and Jasa, for peace on earth, will start in 2026/27.
If Emmerson Mnangagwa were to receive the same sum on behalf of Zimbabwe, I’d expect the people of Zimbabwe to gain at least $8 of benefit to the nations economy. Would corruption be lower in post-war Ukraine?
Tony Blair pushed for sanction on Zimbabwe after Mugabe confiscated white settlers farms and killed them. In 1980 there were 200,000 settles in occupied Zimbabwe, mostly British. Today only a few left. Zimbabwe has rare earth minerals, platinum, gold, diamonds…China is buying them from Zimbabwe bartering commodities for weapons ,Tony Blair caused a 80,000,000,000% (with a B) hyperinflation in Zimbabwe. He supports a Palestinian state, feeds Jasa but has a good relationship with Bibi. Tony Blair built a military garrison in the Falkland Island. Argentina, under Milei, don’t want any confrontation about the Malvinas. Trump likes Milei. He can’t stand Zelensky.
It was a good productive meeting. Steve Witkoff will meet Zelensky next week for further discussions.
Witkoff can’t even name the four annexed oblasts. He’s smarter than Kellogg, but Kellogg is retarded.
Kellogg – Briand 1928 was a legal document which allowed GB and France to rule the world. Germany lost her colonies after Paris 1921. Japan benefitted. Within two decades the US dismantled three empires and ruled the world with Stalin. The cold war: bs !
> Trump is in this to “stop the killing”.
Oh, dear. If only you and everyone else knew better about our ruling class. About the total disregard they have for lives unless there’s some kind of relationship (other than simply being “human”).
Mish, you are projecting.
i venture to say that about most of the readers here, as well.
One of the reasons we voters can’t vote our way out of this is because we keep thinking these rulers aren’t as evil as they are — because people are generally not evil and thus “can’t imagine”. So, every time TPTB dangle a new huckster before us, enough fall for it. The cycle seems nearly endless, at least to me in my few decades watching the pattern repeat.
Projecting? It was a direct quote from President Trump.
Who is well known to be a prolific liar, golf cheat, and child raper.
What he says means absolutely nothing.
I just don’t understand how you guys keep falling for it. It’s like Lucy holding that football for Charlie Brown to kick. Over and over and over again .
maybe if you and your comrades stopped voting for dei candidates and communists, we’d have a different President right now.. let’s all hope your party allows you to participate in a primary this time. that would be a good start.
Prolific liar, golf cheat, and child raper?
Not true. He doesn’t cheat at golf.
Exactly!
“I just don’t understand how you guys keep falling for it”. Is it terrible to think that it seems like you keep falling for it.
Remember that Trump only put pressure on Putin as people in Congress demanded it. This summit was a convenient way to delay pressure. Can anybody give any honourable explanation for the pre-summit 1 to 1? Of course they are going to announce a big step forward. However I am going to be amazed if it doesn’t simply land up putting pressure on Ukraine to be another Belarus.
This “pressure” is as real as an in-ring tirade by a roided out WWE rassler.
Do these people think pro wrestling is real?
Not all of them. The smarter ones think it’s “a little” real.
yes just like the border was a little secure …
TACO Trump will get played like a cheap fiddle. At least we aren’t talking about Epstein for a few days, so mission accomplished?
The only way i seeing it ending is making it another Afghanistan moment for Russia. You know when carter gave them stingers.
Ukraine is a different type of war Putin is just trying to keep us and nato material out. .
NATO’s cupboards are bare. Try to keep up. The West has given Ukraine every weapons system under the sun – including the personnel to use it. You don’t think Ukrainians were firing those HIMARS and Patriots, do you?
Exactly. All of NATO’s weapon systems are expensive junk. The West’s stealth is overrated. And Russia has the technological advantage with its IADS and hypersonics and can outproduce the entire West in the things that matter…artillery, missiles, etc. And it can buy artillery from NK if needed. And use NK troops to augment its forces. About the only thing the West has an advantage in is its submarines.
Oceania can’t be counted out. It retains tremendous strategic depth and, despite its pending “L” in Ukraine, simultaneously flipped several countries from the Eurasia column to the Oceania column. They control a large number of nations and use them as their industrial base and as expendable proxies. Its oligarchs seem more evil and yet more successful.
This decade will be unlike any other! I’d prepare some popcorn. But I’m fat enough already.
Problem now is China controls rare earths which the US military needs for weapons. We don’t dare give too much to Ukraine because we can’t make any more. This is a big reason why Trump wants (needs really) to stop the giveaways to Ukraine by ending the war.
They can make their own drones now. It’s much worse than Afghanistan.
Trump looks like a sock puppet!
As much as we want Trump to succeed in obtaining a cease-fire for the Ukraine, Its unlikely.
Makes for a nice distraction from the Trump perverts usual blathering…
Nothing appeases the TDS Type I’ers. I mean if you want him to succeed (I don’t think you do based upon EVERY post you’ve made) then why can’t you just leave it at that in your comment. I don’t expect people to like Trump for everything but can’t peace be something you’re for, full stop, and no other comment?
Ukraine isn’t even represented, and they’re not giving up that territory until Kyiv falls.
They will keep making drones and guns and bombs, and they will keep killing the Russians that have invaded their country.
For all practical purposes, what’s being discussed is whether to withdraw support and let Putin slaughter enough Ukrainians that the remainder will come to heel.
I would imagine trump has spent the day bragging about his golf trophies, daydreaming about his Nobel Prize (you watch, he’ll get himself put in charge of the Nobel Prize committee somehow if this doesn’t get it for him), and nodding off in his chair. The morning will be punctuated by random sharts and cleanup operations.
I would absolutely hate to be a Ukrainian watching this go down.
“Until Kyiv falls”. Ok. Deal. If that’s what it takes. Russia would probably prefer to stop with Kharkov, Sumy, Nikolaev and Odessa, but if you want to throw in Kiev as well, they’ll take that.
[Help, Mish! This post is being blocked.]
@ Trumpedo
I haven’t been around Mish’s comment section in many years and am noticing commenters’ views effectively for the first time.
Inferring from your comment above, i suspect you don’t view the conflict in Ukraine as a manifestation of the multi-century Oceania aggression against Eurasia (to exploit the resources effectively free rather than at cheap prices, with or without ideological differences) that includes the creation of proxies (by finding or creating fault lines in foreign political entities and injecting enough heated rhetoric and weapons until they fracture) and then using those proxies as expendable assets.
Unfortunately, the quality and quantity of Oceania propaganda has proven too effective for me to overcome, even among friends and family who I presume know enough about me personally to trust my judgment and honesty in other matters. That is, I can’t say I’ve ever changed anyone’s mind about anything political, ever. Yet, I’ve failed to fully learn the futility of trying. After all, when a mere acquaintance asked me one little question about the USA threatening Iraq in 2002, it nudged me to research the issue, taught me much more was wrong than I ever imagined, and progressively vaccinated me from subsequent propaganda. Thus, without us knowing each other, I will make a similar very limited attempt to nudge you to seek additional sources of information regarding this conflict.
(And this has nothing to do with Trump, about whom I share your very negative opinion.)
Here goes: “Have you ever been motivated to download and read any RAND reports for yourself, after listening to a podcaster refer to them during discussions about the many conflicts involving Oceania?”
That’s it. What you do from there is up to you.
[Hoping i can still post this.]
Just watched video of them standing together on the tarmac… looking nervous and exposed. Putin’s a tiny little guy, I had no idea. Has good control of his media image. No wonder he’s so ornery, he’s got manlet syndrome bad.
Same sized hands as Trump though.
Trump is much taller than average and Putin is of average height so he looks small by comparison.
Mission Accomplished: Trump photo op score 1, Putin 0.
6 foot ain’t all that tall
Trump is 6’3 or at least claims he is. I’m sure at 80 years old he’s shrunk down an inch or 2 so is probably more like 6’1.
Incidentally the average male height is 5’9 so 6 ft is in fact tall (only 14.5% of men are that tall).
6 foot in heels isn’t much taller than average.
Lindsey Graham is reportedly standing behind Trump holding a comically large mallet
It’s possible that Trump might get a big win on this. Russia won’t be backing down from protecting the Donbas so heavier sanctions would just push them to commit more assets to finish the war quickly.
And Zelinsky, despite his public statements against giving up territory, will quickly concede as it’s his only way to to not get killed by his Nazi backers for surrendering (as he will have the out of saying Trump was the one who negotiated the peace terms, not him)
I wish they make peace too.
More importantly, pave the way for a comprehensive nuclear weapons control treaty between both nations.
Russia needs to get out of Ukraine. That’s it. They may squabble over reparations, but no more killing and destruction.
Simple as that.
If those are the terms there won’t be any peace.
Trump doesn’t care how much Ukrainian land Russia gets in a settlement because it’s not US territory. So he’s more than fine if Russia keeps the Eastern part as long as there is peace.
Sure. Right after the U.S. gives California back to Mexico and the rest of the country back to the Indians.
Russia is in total control and can do whatever the f*** it wants with Ukraine. Ukraine probably has 1M casualties at this point. If Trump fails to address the root causes that Russia identified a long time ago, the war will continue.
Apparently what Russia wants is to get a bunch of its soldiers killed. That’s what’s happening.
Everyone knows the odds of Trump emerging claiming a glorious victory for the USA. 100%. Or in pharma price terms he is 1,500% likely to win. Thank you for your attention to this matter.