Putin and Trump Fail to Achieve Breakthrough on Ukraine at Alaska Summit
US President Donald Trump, positioning himself as a prominent negotiator, hosted Vladimir Putin at an air base in Alaska, marking the Russian leader’s first visit to Western soil since the onset of the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. The summit concluded after three hours of discussions, yielding no concrete outcomes, with Trump placing the responsibility on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and suggesting a limited role for Europe, reports 24brussels.
Both leaders emerged from the meeting without taking questions from reporters, a notable departure from Trump’s usual engagement with the media. “We’re not there yet, but we’ve made progress. There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump stated, characterizing the discussions as “extremely productive” while refraining from providing specifics regarding any agreements reached.
Trump mentioned that only a few issues remained unresolved, with one potentially being the most significant, though he did not elaborate. Putin, during a fleeting press appearance of just 12 minutes, echoed sentiments of hope for peace in Ukraine, asserting, “We hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine.”
The ambiance contrasted sharply with Trump’s past criticisms of Zelensky, as he faced increasing scrutiny for his outreach to the Russian leader. Trump suggested that he would consult with Zelensky and NATO allies regarding future steps, remarking, “Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” and emphasizing the need for European nations to play a more active role.
Putin Issues Warning to Allies
Putin cautioned Ukraine and its European partners against “creating any obstacles” or attempting to disrupt the emerging progress through provocations. The dynamics of their meeting included carefully staged moments, such as Trump welcoming Putin as both leaders arrived on the tarmac, underscored by the presence of a B-2 stealth bomber overhead.
Despite the strategic display of military might, a pointed question was directed at Putin regarding civilian casualties, to which he appeared unperturbed. The meeting culminated in a unique gesture from Trump, who escorted Putin into “The Beast,” the secure US presidential limousine, for their discussions branded with the notion of “Pursuing Peace.”
As the summit transpired, Russia was reportedly achieving gains on the battlefield, which could bolster Putin’s position in future ceasefire talks. However, Ukraine announced that it had successfully retaken several villages, underscoring the ongoing volatility of the conflict.
Zelensky’s Stance and Ongoing Violence
In light of the summit, Zelensky reiterated his refusal to surrender territories seized by Russia, emphasizing that Moscow showed no intentions of de-escalating the conflict. Hours before Trump’s meeting with Putin, Zelensky stated, “There is no order, nor any signals from Moscow that it is preparing to end this war… they are also killing on the day of the negotiations,” conveying the grim reality of continued violence in Ukraine.
