Putin-Trump Summit Looms Amid Ongoing Ukraine Crisis: What Does Washington Really Gain?

The Kremlin's announcement of an imminent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump might sound like a breakthrough on the surface, but seasoned observers should ask: what real progress can come when Russia continues its aggressive expansion in Ukraine? According to Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, the summit has been agreed upon "in principle," with plans targeting next week for the venue—still undisclosed. While diplomatic gestures often serve as hopeful signals, it is crucial to remember that Russia’s longstanding pattern under Putin has been one of stalling and bad-faith negotiations designed to gain time rather...