Messaging Guidance:

The Alaska Summit Is a Gift to Putin

 

Last week, Donald Trump declined to impose further sanctions on Russia, and instead agreed to host Vladimir Putin in the United States for a summit focused on negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been invited to join the meeting in Alaska. Securing a one-on-one meeting on U.S. soil represents a major victory for the Russian leader, who will now have an opportunity to manipulate a president who has already proven himself vulnerable to Putin’s tricks.

The summit is being billed as an effort to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. In reality, it’s a propaganda win for Putin and a political lifeline for Trump, who is desperate to distract from anemic jobs numbers, the sluggish economy, and rising prices, as well as the many controversies and crises surrounding his White House. Trump is launching a political stunt disguised as diplomacy – and gambling prospects for peace along the way. Unfortunately, his track record doesn’t inspire confidence that he’ll be able to strike a fair deal that protects Americans interests and leads to a lasting peace in Ukraine.

Topline Messaging:

  • For months, Trump has sworn he’d hold Vladimir Putin accountable if he refused to negotiate an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Time and time again, when his self-imposed deadlines were ignored or his demands weren’t met, Trump backed down and gave Putin a free pass to continue his bombing campaign instead of real consequences.

  • Last week, Trump caved to Putin yet again. He abandoned his threat to impose tougher sanctions on Russia – and instead handed the Russian leader exactly what he wants: a high-profile, face-to-face meeting in the United States.

  • Donald Trump is right to try to pursue an end to this disastrous war. But the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without the Ukrainian people – and it certainly won’t be achieved on Vladimir Putin’s terms.

  • It’s no secret that Donald Trump has a soft spot for Vladimir Putin. As president, he’s repeatedly praised Putin publicly, downplayed Russian interference in U.S. elections, berated President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, threatened to withdraw from NATO, and attacked our democratic allies. This isn’t a one-time mistake – it's a well-established pattern.

  • This is greatly concerning for Americans who are committed to ending the war in Ukraine – because Putin has no interest in a just and lasting peace. Instead, he will use this meeting to stall for time, demand further concessions, and portray the Ukrainian people as the true barriers to peace.

  • To end the war in Ukraine, Donald Trump needs to stand up to Putin, demand a fair settlement, and unite our allies behind a plan that ensures security for Ukraine. Unfortunately, his track record doesn’t suggest that he’s up to the task.

Published: August 2025