With the world on edge, Donald Trump prepares to spar with Vladimir Putin, gambling that sheer resolve and hard demands can blunt the ambitions of a man whose broken promises have become a weapon on the global stage.

As Donald Trump heads into a high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin, he faces a leader notorious for reneging on agreements and skilled at breaking promises and exploiting talks for advantage. The stakes are high. A firm stance could yield a rare, enforceable ceasefire and set a new tone in U.S.-Russia relations. But a misstep risks giving Putin exactly what he wants—legitimacy, breathing room from sanctions, and more time to entrench his gains. For Trump, this is not about charm or optics—it’s about proving he can outmaneuver a man who has made breaking promises a cornerstone of his power. Experts warn Putin’s pledges often dissolve once the spotlight fades, making skepticism essential.

The risks are immense. A successful summit—defined only by a verified ceasefire, not just promises or temporary deals—could mark a turning point for Ukraine and reset U.S.-Russia relations. Conversely, if Trump is drawn into an open-ended negotiating process, or agrees to Russian terms without Ukrainian input or verification, the results could be disastrous.

How Trump Should Respond

• Show Toughness: Demand an immediate, verifiable ceasefire—no talks without action.

• Include Ukraine: Refuse deals made without Kyiv’s direct participation.

• Use Leverage: Maintain military aid, sanctions, and NATO unity as bargaining tools.

• Avoid Optics Traps: No photo ops that give Putin legitimacy without real concessions.

Likely Outcome

At best, a short-term drop in hostilities, at worst, Putin gains time, weakens sanctions, and undermines Ukraine.

Bottom line: Trump must be firm, results-driven, and unwilling to trade substance for show—or risk repeating the cycle of Putin’s broken promises.