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A highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Friday without an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The nearly three-hour meeting in Anchorage produced only vague statements, leaving the war-torn region and the international community with more questions than answers.
A Meeting Without a Deal
In a joint appearance before the press, both leaders read prepared remarks but declined to take questions. Trump admitted that despite “great progress,” no concrete deal was reached.
“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he told reporters, before acknowledging bluntly, “We didn’t get there.”
The president’s words stood in stark contrast to his earlier promises that the talks had only a “25 percent chance of failure.” The outcome risks denting his carefully cultivated reputation as a dealmaker.
Putin Takes the Spotlight
For Vladimir Putin, the summit offered a symbolic win even without policy concessions. Sharing the stage with the US president gave the Kremlin leader a high-profile platform to project strength on the global stage.
“When is a press conference not a press conference? When there are no questions,” remarked one journalist present at the event, highlighting the unusual format. Members of the Russian delegation also left the hall swiftly, avoiding direct engagement with the press.
Putin reiterated his position that only addressing the “root causes” of the conflict would bring lasting peace, a phrase widely understood to reflect his goal of dismantling Ukraine’s independence.
Relief and Anxiety in Kyiv
In Ukraine, the lack of a deal sparked mixed emotions. Some officials breathed a sigh of relief that no agreement was struck that might have forced territorial concessions.
But others warned that uncertainty and vague promises could embolden Moscow.
“Every key deal we have signed with Russia in the past has been broken,” said a Ukrainian political analyst. “Even if a ceasefire had been announced, few here would have trusted it.”
For many in Kyiv, Trump’s failure to extract concessions from Putin only adds to fears that Russia will continue its offensive with little consequence.
Domestic and International Fallout
The Anchorage summit may also carry political costs for Trump at home and abroad. While he avoided giving ground to Moscow, his inability to secure results could weaken his international credibility.
Observers noted that the president appeared unusually subdued during the joint statements. Unlike in Washington, where Trump often dominates foreign visitors during photo opportunities, it was Putin who spoke at length while Trump stood silently.
In an interview with Fox News before departing Alaska, Trump hinted at possible sanctions but offered no clear timeline. “Maybe in two weeks, three weeks,” he said, leaving allies and critics alike questioning his resolve.
What Happens Next?
The unanswered question now is whether the US will follow through on threats of tougher sanctions if Russia refuses to move toward a ceasefire. Trump has promised “severe consequences,” but the lack of specifics may embolden Moscow to continue its military campaign.
For Putin, the lack of immediate punishment buys time. For Ukraine, it prolongs uncertainty. For Trump, it risks portraying him as a president who went a long way to Alaska only to return empty-handed.
As one European diplomat put it: “Better no deal than a bad deal, perhaps. But no deal also means no progress.”
A Long Road Ahead
The Alaska summit ended with no breakthrough, only vague promises of “progress.” While Trump insists that the dialogue will continue, neither side committed to a timeline for the next round of talks.
For now, Ukraine remains on edge, Russia retains the upper hand, and the world watches to see whether the US will finally deliver on its threats of sanctions or whether the Anchorage meeting will be remembered as a missed opportunity.
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