Anchorage meeting showed Putin’s return to
diplomacy, but left Ukraine ceasefire hopes uncertain.
Anchorage, Alaska — US President Donald Trump
welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday with military honors and a
“Pursuing Peace” banner, but their highly anticipated summit ended without a
concrete agreement, leaving the future of a Ukraine ceasefire uncertain.
The summit, held at Elmendorf Air Force Base in
Anchorage, lasted nearly three hours and included formal protocol, fighter jet
flyovers, and a red-carpet welcome for the Russian leader. Despite the pomp,
the outcome proved largely symbolic.
Trump and Putin described their talks as
“productive,” but neither offered specifics on progress toward ending the war
in Ukraine. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump remarked, underscoring
the inconclusive nature of the discussions.
Putin, smiling alongside Trump, hinted at future
meetings, including a possible follow-up in Moscow. However, absent was any
mention of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite Trump’s earlier suggestion
of a trilateral summit.
The absence of a clear roadmap frustrated analysts
who had hoped for at least a framework toward de-escalation. “This was more
about optics than substance,” one senior diplomat noted, pointing to the
ceremonial trappings that overshadowed the lack of policy breakthroughs.
The summit’s timing was notable: even as Trump
welcomed Putin to US soil, Russian drones were striking targets in Ukraine. The
contrast highlighted the complexity of balancing diplomacy with ongoing conflict.
Observers noted that Putin’s presence in Alaska
marked his first visit to the US in a decade, and the most significant platform
he has had since Russia’s international isolation following the 2022 invasion
of Ukraine.
For Putin, the symbolism was clear. His arrival was
celebrated on Russian state media as a diplomatic victory, a moment of
re-legitimization despite sanctions and legal challenges abroad.
The red-carpet treatment offered by Trump
contrasted with Europe’s continued rejection of Putin, signaling a shift in
Washington’s approach that could reshape global perceptions of the Russian
leader.
Adding intrigue, the format of the summit was
altered just before it began. What was expected to be a one-on-one meeting
instead included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve
Witkoff, as well as their Russian counterparts.
The change was seen as an effort to provide
accountability, following past controversies over Trump’s private talks with
Putin, where little information emerged and records were sometimes destroyed.
Even so, the two leaders shared a private limousine
ride from the tarmac, without aides or translators — a moment that may never be
fully disclosed.
Trump emphasized that “many points” had been agreed
upon, though he declined to specify which. He insisted that progress had been
made but acknowledged that the most significant issues remained unresolved.
Among the sticking points was Ukraine, where Trump
had promised a ceasefire but left Anchorage without securing one. The lack of
tangible progress cast doubt on his ability to leverage personal diplomacy into
results.
For domestic audiences, Trump sought to frame the
summit as a step forward, noting that “success” could not always be measured in
immediate outcomes. Critics countered that the vague assurances only reinforced
uncertainty.
Putin, meanwhile, appeared content with the optics.
His grin as he entered Trump’s limousine symbolized not just personal rapport,
but a message to the world: Russia was back at the negotiating table with
America.
While no major deal emerged, the event signaled a
shift in tone. Whether that shift leads to concrete policy remains to be seen.
For now, the Anchorage summit will be remembered less for what was achieved,
and more for what it symbolized.