The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine echoed worldwide, yet reporters largely agree the talks yielded no significant results, leaving the Russian autocrat as the apparent beneficiary.
Meeting of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska
In the nighttime hours between Friday and Saturday local time, the former U.S. president and the Russian leader met in Anchorage, Alaska. After roughly three hours, the discussion concluded and each president addressed the press. Vladimir Putin spoke for over eight minutes, while Donald Trump spoke for just a bit more than three. Trump claimed the session was “extremely productive” and that many points were agreed upon, though he acknowledged remaining points of lesser importance, except for one critical one. He emphasized that while no firm agreement was reached, the chances for success remain high. Putin described the talks as constructive and highly beneficial, suggesting they could serve as a starting point for resolving the Ukraine conflict and restoring Russia‑U.S. relations.
Putin Received the Greatest Gift
According to “The New York Times,” the summit gave Putin his most coveted advantage: a renewed standing among global leaders. He emerged from the sanctions‑laden role of an autocrat to a welcomed figure by the United States, gaining prestige without relinquishing his oil sector or making any concessions. While the durability of this diplomatic victory is uncertain, it represents an impressive achievement given the short four‑hour engagement on U.S. soil.
Putin Unsure of Ending the War Quickly
PolitiCo highlighted that Putin, despite being wanted for war crimes, was embraced in America as a friend rather than a hostile leader. He managed this without any major concessions such as a ceasefire and departed Anchorage without committing to a peace deal. His objective at the summit was to avert Trump’s anger, prevent further Western sanctions, and continue existing operations. The analysis notes that Hank prematurely concluding the war would risk jeopardizing his regime by shifting from a war economy, potentially triggering social and political conflict.
They Have Serious Differences of Opinion
BBC analyst Steve Rosenberg observed that after their brief statements, both presidents left the podium without answering questions from journalists, revealing stark differences on the Ukraine war. Trump pushed for a Russian ceasefire; Putin did not guarantee it. Earlier, a different atmosphere prevailed, with Trump offering his red carpet to Putin. Today, Putin occupied the center of geopolitical attention, sharing the stage with America’s most powerful state.
Trump’s Obvious Failure
Le Monde warned that Washington’s summit could resemble a Monaco meeting that abandons Ukraine for Russia, analogous to Munich’s 1938 or Yalta’s 1945 conference. No official agreement emerged, though some progress might have been made. Trump’s repeated demand for a ceasefire was not formally announced, leaving the meeting’s outcomes ambiguous.
European Diplomats Warned It Could Have Been Worse
Die Welt questioned why, if the presidents solved “many problems,” no concrete deliverable appeared. The absence of tangible results raised concerns among European diplomats who feared the meeting might have worsened the situation. They emphasized that Trump likely refused to discuss interests with Putin without verified commitments concerning Ukraine, reminding Washington that he did not abandonenskyi on the ice.
Putin Got What He Wanted Most
El Pais reported that the Anchorage summit, opened with grand pomp and a red carpet, ended in two and a half quiet hours with no agreement on Ukraine or further actions. Yet Putin achieved his primary goal: a photograph with the U.S. president on American soil, greeted by U.S. aircraft and troops—a symbolic end to his status as a global aggressor. Trump promoted the image of a state husband seeking peace. Both leaders failed to apply pressure on Kyiv to accept significant territorial loss or unacceptable peace terms.
