In an unlikely alliance of optimism, both U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have publicly stated they see a path to peace, though their visions for achieving it may differ. This shared, albeit fragile, hope provides a sliver of opportunity ahead of the Putin summit.
Trump’s optimism is rooted in his belief in his own deal-making prowess. He has confidently declared a deal is “very close” and that he can personally broker a settlement with Putin.
Zelenskyy’s optimism is more cautious and conditional. He stated that a ceasefire is possible, but only if there is “adequate pressure” on Russia. This suggests his hope is based on the effectiveness of Western sanctions and military support in forcing Russia to negotiate, rather than on Putin’s goodwill.
Despite the different premises, the fact that both leaders are publicly countenancing a peaceful resolution creates a diplomatic opening. The critical question for the Alaska summit is whether these two strands of optimism can be woven together into a coherent strategy that is acceptable to all parties, including a deeply skeptical Russian leader.