A year ago, on August 15, 2025, a meeting took place in Alaska that some watched with hope, others with anxiety, and many with disgust.

When analysts try to envision a scenario that would satisfy Putin and persuade him to end the war, they cite two main points: the West would recognize the Russian dictator not merely as an equal, but as a leader with special demands that must be met; among these demands is the demonstrative humiliation of Ukraine in the final ceasefire agreements.