Strange meeting: “What does Trump get in return?”

Albert Jónsson, an expert in international affairs and former Icelandic ambassador to Russia, says there are significant doubts about the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which is scheduled to take place next Friday in the state of Alaska.

“In itself, it’s a positive thing that there is a meeting — and of course, at some point, you need to talk to the Russians and to Putin. However, it feels strange at this stage. Summits are usually held once the main issues have already been agreed upon, and are essentially just to seal an agreement that already exists,” Jónsson told mbl.is , adding that nothing has emerged to suggest that any such agreement is in the works.

Raises suspicion

“Then yesterday it emerged that [Ukrainian President] Zelensky will not be part of the meeting, which also raises suspicion that there is somehow an intention to betray Ukraine in this matter.”

He says that perhaps something will still be revealed, but at the moment there is nothing to indicate it.

“That’s why there has been criticism of Trump — and I agree with it — for giving Putin this meeting with the U.S. President without any signs of concessions from the Russian side in return. What are they getting in exchange for this meeting in the U.S.? A lot of effort is being made, but what does Trump get in return? Nothing has been said about that, and there are no indications of it.”

Fears he will turn his back on the matter

Jónsson says that, at this stage, he has little faith in the meeting and still fears that Trump will withdraw from efforts to end the war.

“The Foreign Minister said not long ago that there are limits to how long the U.S. administration is prepared to stay engaged in this if there is no willingness to negotiate,” he says, adding that he fears Trump will simply walk away and expect European countries to take care of it.

Ceasefire the only option

As the situation stands now, he says the only option is to establish a ceasefire.

“That would be hugely important for Ukraine, and I think for Russia as well — this war effort hasn’t gone well for them — and to freeze the conflict,” he says.

He notes that while a ceasefire is not, in itself, an acceptable outcome for Ukraine or NATO, if it holds, there would be an opportunity to strengthen Ukraine and prevent a repeat attack from Russia.

“This is the only practical possibility. Ukraine cannot reclaim 20–30% of its territory — at least not in the near future.”