The much-anticipated meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was billed as a potential turning point in the war in Ukraine.
Instead, it ended with few concrete results, vague promises of progress, and even an unexpected invitation to Moscow. While the summit made headlines around the world, it left many wondering what had actually been achieved.
A Red-Carpet Welcome for Putin
The summit opened with an extraordinary scene at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Trump waited on a red carpet rolled across the runway, clapping as Putin approached. The two shook hands warmly, smiling for the cameras.
For Putin, who has been shunned by much of the West since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the moment marked a symbolic victory. In recent years, his official travel had been limited to countries like North Korea and Belarus. To be welcomed with such ceremony on U.S. soil was a striking image, one that the Kremlin is likely to frame as a restoration of his international standing.
In an unscripted moment, Putin even rode with Trump in the former president’s armored limousine rather than his own Russian state vehicle. Images of the Russian leader laughing in the backseat quickly spread across social media, underscoring the unusual rapport on display.
Putin Faces Rare Tough Questions
Almost immediately after landing, Putin encountered something rare in his political career: tough questions from a free press. One reporter shouted, “Will you stop killing civilians?” Another asked if he would consider meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Putin shrugged off the questions without answering, responding only with a smirk.
Inside the photo session, more questions were shouted, but again Putin remained silent. For a leader accustomed to tightly controlled media environments, the bluntness of Western reporters was a sharp contrast to the scripted appearances he dominates at home.
Talks End Early and Vague
Expectations of a joint press conference were quickly dashed. Instead, both leaders gave short statements and took no questions.
Putin spoke first, praising the “constructive atmosphere” of the talks before launching into a history of Alaska’s ties to Russia. Only later did he reference the war in Ukraine, saying an “agreement” had been reached but that the “root causes” of the conflict must be addressed before true peace could happen.
Observers noted that “root causes” is Kremlin shorthand for demands Kyiv has consistently rejected – recognition of Russia’s control over occupied Ukrainian territories, Ukrainian neutrality, and significant restrictions on its military. These remain nonstarters for Ukraine and its Western allies, making Putin’s remarks a signal that little had changed.
Trump, by contrast, offered a surprisingly short and vague statement. He did not mention Ukraine directly, beyond noting the scale of casualties and saying Putin too wanted an end to the bloodshed. Trump declared that “great progress” had been made, but he did not outline any specifics. His reluctance to threaten “severe consequences,” as he had in the past, may have been a relief to Moscow.
The Summit’s Symbolism
The optics of the meeting may prove more important than the substance. Images of Trump and Putin smiling, shaking hands, and even riding together sent a powerful signal of warming ties. American servicemen laying out the red carpet for Putin was another striking image, one that drew mixed reactions at home and abroad.
While no breakthroughs were announced, the summit demonstrated Trump’s willingness to treat Putin as a legitimate partner, a stance that sharply contrasts with the policies of other Western leaders.
“Next Time in Moscow?”
Perhaps the most surprising moment came at the very end. After Trump said he expected to see Putin “very soon,” the Russian president leaned into his microphone, chuckled, and in English said: “Next time in Moscow.”
Trump laughed and replied: “Oh, that’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.”
The exchange underscored the summit’s dual nature: no concrete steps on Ukraine, but a clear message of rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. Whether this leads to further talks – and whether Zelensky or Ukraine will be involved – remains an open question.
For now, the Alaska summit may be remembered less for its diplomatic breakthroughs than for its imagery: Putin returning to the world stage with a red-carpet welcome, and the possibility of Trump traveling to Moscow hanging in the air.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
