In response to a request from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, European leaders will meet with former U.S. President Trump in the White House to discuss the ongoing conflict. The meeting, called after Trump’s discussion with Russian President Putin, aims to exchange information and discuss peace efforts following the meeting in Alaska. European leaders, including Chancellor Merz, intend to emphasize Germany’s interest in a quick peace agreement while ensuring Ukraine’s interests and territorial integrity are protected. The meeting serves as a precursor to a potential three-way negotiation including Zelenskyy and Putin, despite Putin’s current reluctance to participate.
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Despite President Trump’s attempts to portray the recent summit with Vladimir Putin as a success, sources within his inner circle suggest a different reality, as one insider bluntly texted, “F–ked.” According to Trump biographer Michael Wolff, the summit resulted in significant losses for Trump, with no tangible gains achieved. The welcome given to Putin, including a red carpet and military flyover, stood in stark contrast to Trump’s subsequent “defeated” demeanor and silence during a press conference where no questions were answered. This outcome is particularly concerning, as Trump did not secure the ceasefire he initially sought, and instead, shifted his goals.
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Following President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents to Washington, D.C., the city’s mayor condemned the intervention as unpatriotic and an overreach of federal power. The deployment, framed by the administration as a response to rising crime, has faced significant backlash, particularly due to its unprecedented nature and potential infringement on home rule. Despite a reported decrease in violent crime, the federal government’s actions include placing the city’s police department under federal control, though a recent deal partially reversed this. Subsequently, several Republican-led states announced they would deploy National Guard troops to the city, further increasing the federal presence.
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According to sources, Russia’s proposed peace plan, discussed by Putin and Trump in Alaska, involves Ukraine ceding significant territory in the east while Russia would relinquish small areas in the north. The deal also includes Kyiv withdrawing from Donetsk and Luhansk, and a freeze on the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Furthermore, the proposal demands formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the lifting of some sanctions against Russia, and a guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO. Finally, Russia seeks official status for the Russian language and the free operation of the Russian Orthodox Church within Ukraine.
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The Trump administration has taken several actions that appear to favor Russia, including berating the Ukrainian President, halting military shipments, and easing sanctions. These actions have been widely celebrated in Russia and have led to a perception that Trump has “no cards” to play. While Trump has expressed a desire to end the war, the lack of economic, military, or political tools being used suggests that his wishes can be safely ignored. Ultimately, the U.S. is dismantling its foreign-policy tools, and its ability to act effectively on the global stage is diminishing, leaving the country in a weakened position.
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Progressives across the country protested President Trump’s efforts to have Republican-led state legislatures redraw electoral maps to benefit GOP candidates, with the main rally held in Austin, Texas. Republicans in Texas are set to be the first to redraw maps at Trump’s behest, a move criticized as breaking precedent and potentially yielding the GOP significant gains in the US House of Representatives. Texas Democrats accused the state GOP of creating districts designed to elect Trump allies and called on progressives to continue competing in these redrawn districts. Protesters also voiced concerns about Governor Abbott’s actions and broader Republican policies.
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The Trump administration halted all visitor visas from Gaza, including those for humanitarian and medical aid, after far-right provocateur Laura Loomer criticized the visas granted to several Palestinian children. The State Department announced it would review the visa process, prompting Loomer to claim credit for the policy change. These children, injured in attacks, were brought to the U.S. for medical care with the assistance of the nonprofit HEAL Palestine. This decision has been met with criticism, including accusations of prejudice and cruelty from various sources.
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During the Alaska summit on August 15th, former President Donald Trump hand-delivered a personal letter from Melania Trump to Vladimir Putin, discussing the well-being of children in both Russia and Ukraine. In the letter, Melania Trump implored Putin to protect children and work towards peace. Despite this, the meeting did not yield an agreement to end the ongoing conflict. Following the meeting, Trump mentioned potential consequences if Putin did not stop the war, but admitted that he did not think he could convince Putin to stop targeting civilians in Ukraine.
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Following a warm greeting on the Alaskan tarmac, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in a seemingly friendly environment, which included promises to follow up on the meeting. Despite the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Ukraine and prior issues with the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump and Putin shared smiles and laughter, making little tangible progress. This meeting highlights a pattern of deference towards rivals like Putin while allies receive criticism and scolding, indicating an asymmetry in Trump-era foreign policy. This pattern has the potential to repeat itself as Trump seems easily manipulated by Putin, while real-world issues like climate change in Alaska and the ongoing war in Ukraine remain unaddressed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker