Putin highlights genuine U.S. efforts for peace

Department of Research, Studies and International News15-08-2025

In a notable shift in diplomatic tone, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Thursday that Washington is showing “genuine and energetic” intent to bring the Ukraine conflict to an end. Speaking to top ministers and security officials in a televised meeting, Putin said the United States appears committed to halting hostilities and reaching agreements that would serve all parties’ interests.

The comments came just one day before a high-profile summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, a meeting that could potentially open the door to a new nuclear arms accord as part of broader peace efforts. While Putin’s words signal cautious optimism, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged against premature conclusions, stating that no formal agreements or documents are expected to be signed in Alaska.

Trump, for his part, expressed confidence that Putin was ready to strike a deal, hinting at possible territorial compromises between Moscow and Kyiv, remarks that have reportedly unsettled Ukrainian officials. Claiming a 75% chance of a successful summit, Trump suggested that Western economic pressure might have incentivized Moscow to seek a resolution. He insisted that he would approach the meeting with firm resolve, adding, “I’ll know within the first few minutes whether we’re heading for a good meeting or a bad one.”

Russian officials have made clear that the Alaska talks will also explore untapped opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations. Putin’s senior aide, Yuri Ushakov, stressed the “enormous, so far unrealized potential” in Russia–U.S. trade relations, indicating that bilateral economic ties could significantly improve if political obstacles were eased.

Meanwhile, European leaders applauded Trump for offering U.S. military support to a proposed “reassurance force” intended to oversee peace arrangements in Ukraine. While the specifics of Washington’s contribution remain undisclosed, the move has been welcomed in Brussels as a potential boost to European security planning.

Ahead of the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London, signaling ongoing British alignment with Kyiv. The meeting was marked by warm but brief exchanges, with no public statements issued.

On the ground in Ukraine, developments continue to shift rapidly. Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin claimed Ukrainian troops had managed to stabilize a section of the front line near Dobropillia, where Russian forces recently pushed forward by roughly 10 kilometers in an effort to weaken Ukraine’s defensive depth. This advance, observers note, puts further pressure on Kyiv to consider territorial concessions in the interest of peace.

Despite claims of stabilization, Ukrainian authorities have ordered further civilian evacuations in eastern regions, particularly around Druzhkivka and nearby villages. Russian forces announced they had taken control of Iskra and Shcherbynivka, areas Moscow regards as part of its territory following the 2022 referendums.

In a separate development, a report from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s internal watchdog revealed that thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals sent to Ukraine were never properly tracked, with nearly half ending up in territories controlled by Russia or its allies. The report cited wartime conditions as the reason for lax oversight, raising questions about the effectiveness and accountability of Western aid.

Humanitarian exchanges also took place this week, as Moscow and Kyiv swapped 84 prisoners each. According to Zelensky, the exchange included both civilians and military personnel, some held since before the 2022 escalation, as well as Ukrainian fighters from Mariupol. Russia has emphasized that it remains open to further swaps, viewing them as confidence-building measures.

In another geopolitical signal, Moscow officially designated Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as an “undesirable” organization, banning its operations in Russia. The move, under legislation allowing the state to block foreign groups deemed hostile to national security, underscores growing tensions between Moscow and Western-backed NGOs.

Russia’s international partnerships continue to deepen. On Thursday, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin visited Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, delivering personal greetings from President Putin and expressing gratitude for North Korea’s consistent support of Russia’s military objectives in Ukraine. The meeting reflects an emerging multipolar alignment in which Moscow, Beijing, and other partners, including New Delhi, seek to counterbalance Western influence on the global stage.

As the Alaska summit approaches, the focus will be on whether the U.S. is prepared to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps toward de-escalation. While European governments remain heavily invested in a U.S.-led security framework, Moscow’s strategy appears centered on leveraging its battlefield momentum and forging new economic opportunities.

For many in the Global South, including key powers like China and India, the meeting in Anchorage is being watched closely as a potential pivot point. If successful, it could mark the beginning of a new phase in the Ukraine conflict, one driven not by Washington’s dominance, but by pragmatic multipolar diplomacy.