Following a pivotal meeting in Alaska, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin returned without a concrete agreement to address the war in Ukraine, although both underscored progress in discussions.
Trump and Putin Depart Alaska Without Breakthrough on Ukraine Conflict
Trump and Putin Depart Alaska Without Breakthrough on Ukraine Conflict
High-stakes summit yields no tangible progress in the ongoing Ukraine war, despite optimistic rhetoric from both leaders.
US President Donald Trump has concluded his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, leaving without any substantial deal aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. "There's no deal until there's a deal," Trump remarked to reporters post-summit, despite claiming that "great progress" had been made.
As Trump flew back to Washington, he held talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who announced plans to visit the US capital on Monday. The much-anticipated summit began with a meticulously organized arrival at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where Putin was ceremoniously welcomed by Trump, with visuals of their meeting capturing the spectacle.
Though the summit was draped in a sense of formality and mutual appreciation, the outcomes were scant. After just under three hours, both leaders emerged with a brief statement to the media, a fraction of the expected six to seven hours of dialogue. Putin reiterated his stance that for a "lasting and long-term" resolution, the foundational issues fueling the conflict in Ukraine must be addressed. This aligns with his longtime demand for Ukraine to yield contested regions and forgo aspirations of NATO membership.
Zelensky firmly dismissed any notion of territorial concessions, underscoring that such actions would embolden further Russian aggression. "What we’ve seen has shown that any retreat opens the door to renewed offensives," he stated. During the press interaction, Putin cautioned against any interference in the peace process, which he implied could derail potential negotiations.
Post-meeting rhetoric from Trump remained intense but vague; he indicated there were many points of agreement but highlighted one key obstacle without elaborating. During a subsequent interview, he reassured Fox News viewers that the meeting went "very well," suggesting that results might emerge in the coming weeks.
As a follow-up, Zelensky is expected in Washington soon for further discussions with Trump, and he expressed support for the idea of a trilateral meeting involving both leaders. He noted positive reactions from the American side regarding security assurances for Ukraine, a recurring demand from both Ukraine and its European allies to stave off additional conflict.
In an environment of diplomatic tension, while Ukrainian citizens may breathe a sigh of relief at the absence of a deal conceding territory, they remain apprehensive about the persistent rhetoric emanating from Moscow, justifying its military objectives in the region.
As the world watches this evolving situation, anticipation builds around the potential outcomes of the next conversations, including the proposed trilateral meeting, where hopes for a resolution could either rise or falter further.
