U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a press conference following their meeting to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025. (OSV News photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)
The Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held on Aug. 15 has ultimately failed to address the "fundamental moral and geopolitical questions" of Russia's multiyear war on Ukraine, said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
The archbishop, who shepherds Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S., shared his thoughts by phone with OSV News and in a statement released shortly after the two leaders met for some three hours at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
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"I will be blunt: a genocidal war criminal—who speaks explicitly about his aggressive intentions to re-conquer the countries that freed themselves from the atheistic Soviet yoke—was welcomed on American territory and given red carpet treatment," Gudziak’s statement begins.
"The desultory discussions did not lead to a single concession on the part of the aggressor. Having ordered another barrage of deadly bombings on the day of the summit he was allowed to stand together with the president of the United States before a press conference backdrop 'Pursuing Peace,'" the statement, also posted on social media, said.
A woman speaks with Metropolitan Archbishop A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia Sept. 8, 2024, following Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (OSV News photo/Gina Christian)
Although "the worst did not happen" and "those standing for freedom and the innocent citizens of Ukraine were not sold out" from the meeting by any announced concessions of Ukrainian territory, Gudziak said, "The cause of freedom, justice and peace was not advanced."
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- launched in 2022, and continuing attacks initiated in 2014 -- has been accused of violating multiple instruments of international law, including the United Nations Charter, the Geneva Conventions and the Genocide Convention, with several reports detailing widespread atrocities committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian soldiers and civilians alike.
"There is a great illusion that the mighty of this world determine history, decide our fate," Gudziak said. "They do indeed have an impact, more often than not negative. But the truth is that we are in the Lord's hands and His truth will prevail. And as David stands against Goliath, we've seen one miracle after another."
