Trump–Putin Alaska Summit: 5 Reasons Putin May Hold Firm

With Russian troops surging near Ukraine, the August 15, 2025, Trump-Putin summit in Alaska faces doubts over any breakthrough. Critics fear it could mirror past failed meetings, as Putin leverages battlefield gains and sharp negotiation tactics to pressure the U.S. into scaling back aid to Ukraine. From his history of outmaneuvering opponents to concerns over Trump’s openness to territorial concessions, experts warn Putin may not back down.