On the night of August 16, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, Donald Trump put into practice ideas reminiscent of those Ukrainians voted for in 2019. These include a call for direct dialogue with Putin, attempts to shift the conflict into a constructive direction, and ending the war by any possible means.
According to the author, Trump's actions act as a "boomerang"—the anti-war narratives from the 2019 elections now return, shaping a new political reality. Both Zelensky and Trump promote direct talks with Putin, a topic that was once hotly debated in Ukraine.
The Anchorage meeting led to the legitimization of Russia as one of the four "poles" of the world order, alongside the USA, China, and Europe. Events in Alaska reflect a changing Western approach to dialogue with Russia, removing the taboo on direct talks even with an aggressor.
The author emphasizes that Ukraine's war is about choosing a geopolitical orbit: leaving the "Russian world" and integrating with Western civilization. Trump's strategy is based on business logic: the outcome is more important than the process. For him, reputational risks are justified if the goal is achieved.
The future thus revolves around either a “peace on Trump’s terms” (under the West’s imperfect conditions) or continuing the “war on Zelensky’s terms.” The author highlights that everyone must choose, but Ukraine’s future still depends on the key players in world politics.
