Takeaways from the Alaska summit

From the KyivPost, Aug. 17:

"OPINION: Takeaways from the Alaska Summit

By Joni Askola 

A Finnish analyst’s conclusions in bullet form.

1. No ceasefire. No progress. But Putin and Trump both walked away happy. But this meant something very different   for Ukraine and the West.

2. The summit lasted just 3 hours. No deal. No Meal. No ceasefire. No press questions.

3. Putin made zero concessions. But he got what he wanted:

• Red carpet treatment
• No Zelensky
• No Kellogg
• Normalization of US-Russia relations

3. Trump didn’t get anything that Ukraine, Europe, or the US wanted. Instead, he got what he wanted:

• A show
• A spotlight
• Photos with his idol, Putin
• Pressure taken off Russia
• To keep his role as “mediator” in a war he won’t end

4.  As long as talks continue, Trump hasn’t “officially failed.” He can still chase his Nobel Prize fantasy. But every round proves the same thing: Trump won’t pressure Putin—and won’t reach peace as a result. Instead, he protects him.

5. After Putin rejected the ceasefire, Trump changed his tune:

• No more ceasefire talk.
• Now it’s “peace” on Kremlin terms.
• No sanctions. No pressure.
• Just delay and deflection.

6. Trump keeps promising peace:

Before returning to the White House

• In 100 days
• In 2 weeks
• In 50 days

At this summit

• Every time, he fails.
• Every time, he shields Russia.

7.  Trump even said Putin told him:

“The war wouldn’t have happened if you were president.”

• And that Trump won in 2020.
• It’s that easy to gaslight him.
• Trump is humiliating the US—and enjoying it.

8. Europe must stop waiting.

• Trump won’t pressure Russia.
• He’s had every chance—and done nothing.
• The war won’t end unless Russia is pressured hard.
• And only Europe can do it now.

9. Europe must act:

• Prepare the 19th sanctions package
• Toughen enforcement
• Seize frozen Russian assets
• Boost aid to Ukraine
• Trump won’t stop Putin.
• It’s time for Europe to finally step up properly."