Zelensky meets Trump, European leaders amid Putin’s demands

On August 15th, President Donald Trump held a peace summit, hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Following the Summit, President Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and various European leaders at the White House.

Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Director at McCain Institute, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more on the ongoing situation.

Putin demanded sweeping concessions from Ukraine to end the war, including Ukraine ceding Crimea. Additionally, he rejected the idea of deploying NATO troops in Ukraine as part of any security guarantees.

“Unfortunately there was a lot of drama, it was interesting to see all of these world leaders around President Trump,” Farkas explained, “…but I’m afraid that there was not much tangible progress that was made.”

Farkas discussed how this meeting showed a level of unity in Europe that we haven’t seen before. Prime Minister Starmer reportedly left his vacation to attend the meeting with President Trump and the European leaders.

“This kind of level of unity where they would drop everything,” Farkas said, “…to make sure that President Trump understood the position of the Europeans and supported the best possible position for Ukraine.”

Farkas explained how President Trump was gracious and the optics of the meeting turned out well, but the result of the meetings is still undetermined.

“I was glad they talked about security guarantees, but my fear Ted, is that there is a lot of daylight between them in terms of what security guarantee means,” Farkas said.

Farkas discussed the possibility of Ukraine surrendering land for peace, but would only consider this option if it can guarantee a durable lasting peace.

“What the Ukrainians need is a guarantee that if they are attacked again by Russia, that the United States will come to their military assistance,” Farkas explained.