By Askold Lozynskyj
Yesterday was August 8, 2025. Additional sanctions were to be imposed on Russia and secondary tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. India, which purchases almost one third of Russian energy exports, had a fifty percent tariff imposed on its imports into the United States. This despite Prime Minister Modi and President Trump’s close relationship as strongmen. The Prime Minister is a thug who kills Muslims in India and Kashmir. That fifty percent tariff, however, is still in the stage of merely threat and not reality.
In the interim from bloviating to reckoning, Trump apparently afforded Putin one last chance by sending his special envoy to Moscow, a political neophyte but adept at real estate. Certainly more educated than the President, Putin, a murderer but not stupid, recognizing Trump’s need for grandstanding, suggested a Summit between the two leaders. On the day of reckoning Trump did nothing. There were no new sanctions. The Kremlin crowed: “We win again.”
I am not sure about history, but in my lifetime never has there been a more embarrassing American president. Perhaps America can withstand the farce currently displayed. The more serious problem is that because of America’s wealth and prior leadership, the world and in particular countries in need like Ukraine who are actually physically protecting the democratic world, may not survive the vacuum in American leadership.
The Summit of two questionable presidents (yes, questionable because one was not elected democratically and the other has no competency or qualifications) will take place in Alaska. One Ukrainian friend suggested that Trump swap Alaska for peace. In any event while the Summit is not meaningless because it will affect future American relations with Ukraine, it certainly is not a component of a peace formula. This is not a real estate deal. It is a fool’s attempt to affect the lives of millions of people.
There is no point to analyze the terms of any prospective ceasefire unless it is quite simply an unconditional one. In any event the Summit will benefit Russia and Putin as they continue to bomb and murder Ukrainian women and children.
The press conference, if any, following the Summit may be as embarrassing as the Helsinki press conference in 2018. Trump is certainly capable of outdoing himself. If Trump is pleased with his achievements even if they are to the great detriment of Ukraine and its people, he may renege on providing any support to Ukraine in the form of the sale of arms or sharing intelligence. Without a doubt Ukraine has suffered more than ever during Trump’s two hundred days in office.
It has been alleged that Russia insists on recognition of its annexation of four regions, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhya and Kherson as well as a lifting of American sanctions in return for a ceasefire. Should Trump agree to such terms, the Summit will go down as a sellout. There is an outstanding warrant for Putin’s arrest by the International Criminal Court. The European Union and Ukraine will never agree to these concessions. America will be considered a rogue member of the United Nations for allowing a war criminal on its territory. America is already a rogue member of the global community for voting together with Russia and North Korea earlier this year against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The triumvirate of Trump, Putin and Kim will go down in history as three thugs.
Reality notwithstanding the Summit will be hailed by both participants as productive at the very least. It may be followed by a second summit which Trump has suggested to include President Zelensky of Ukraine. Zelensky has suggested representatives from European allies. Russia has not agreed to any second summit and Putin has stalled on ever meeting with Zelensky. Ukraine’s suggestion of European allies is warranted certainly since a meeting of Trump, Putin and Zelensky would be an ambush for Zelensky. Zelensky understands that very well, but dare not say it directly since he wants to maintain relations with America.
Ultimately, Ukraine’s place is with Europe and America as the antithesis to Russian imperialism is merely a camouflage. America has much growing up to do after Trump in order to reprise its role as an honest broker.
August 9, 2025