CNN outlined five scenarios for ending the war after a meeting between Trump and Putin

Journalists from the American TV channel CNN presented five possible scenarios for ending the war in Ukraine following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the channel, only one of these scenarios would be favorable for Ukraine.

1. Ceasefire: CNN considers this scenario unlikely. Putin is unlikely to stop while advancing. By October, Russia may capture Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Kupiansk.
2. Negotiations with extension: This would allow Russia to seize the cities mentioned above and take a pause to prepare for a new offensive in 2026 — or to seek diplomatic consolidation of its gains. There may also be an attempt to bring a pro-Russian candidate to power in Ukraine.
3. Ukraine somehow survives the next two years: The EU continues to support Ukraine, the Russian army achieves only minimal success, and this might push Putin toward negotiations.
4. Disaster for Ukraine and NATO: The U.S. halts its support, the EU is unable to cope, and the Russian army breaks through into the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, devastating the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelensky tries to increase mobilization, but it leads to a domestic political crisis.
5. Disaster for Putin: The war drains Russia’s resources, sanctions take effect, Chinese support weakens, the elites become dissatisfied, and all of this could lead to Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine — similar to the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

CNN notes that “none of the scenarios are good for Ukraine,” except for the last one. The channel also emphasizes that none of these outcomes can happen solely by the will of Putin and Trump — Ukraine must be directly involved in any deal.