Trump-Putin Meeting Fails, Russia Attacks Ukraine With 270 Drones
Trump and Putin met after 7 years, but hopes for a Ukraine ceasefire were crushed. Instead, Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles.
The Russia-Ukraine war has continued for almost three years, and hopes were high when US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on 15th August 2025 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska. This was their first meeting in seven years and lasted for three hours. The summit included a public handshake, a short joint meeting with ministers, and a private discussion between the two leaders. Many expected a ceasefire deal, but no agreement was reached. Both leaders called the meeting “constructive,” but Trump stated, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
Putin claimed they had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to interfere, while Trump promised to update Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. Despite the talks, Russia launched 270 drones and 10 missiles into Ukraine the same night, signalling no reduction in hostilities.
For India, this meeting was significant due to Trump’s earlier threats of tariffs. On his return flight, Trump hinted he might not impose secondary tariffs on India. Meanwhile, Putin revealed that US-Russia trade had grown 20% under Trump, exposing Washington’s double-sided diplomacy. India, unfazed by tariff threats, increased crude oil imports from Russia to 20 lakh bpd in August 2025, strengthening ties with Moscow. On 18th August, Trump met Zelenskyy at the White House to deliver Putin’s offer, which suggested Ukraine give up eastern regions including Crimea and abandon joining NATO. Trump surprisingly agreed with this idea, offering US-led security assurances instead. Zelenskyy rejected the proposal, insisting “Crimea is ours” and reaffirming Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
That same day, Trump also hosted Zelenskyy with European leaders. Discussions included security guarantees, a potential trilateral Trump-Putin-Zelenskyy meeting, and possible territorial exchanges. A viral photo showed Trump at his desk while European leaders sat before him, fuelling debates over US dominance in Europe.
The summit was ultimately deemed unsuccessful, leaving Ukraine’s future uncertain.
