Trump and Putin
By Bolatito Mercy
The summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, ended without a deal on ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Despite both leaders describing the talks as productive, no meaningful steps were taken toward a ceasefire or a subsequent meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Trump stated that there were “many points” agreed upon, but he didn’t offer specifics, while Putin repeated Moscow’s long-held position that the “root causes” of the conflict must be eliminated to reach a long-term peace. Putin’s attendance at the summit was notable, as it marked the first time he had set foot on US soil since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The meeting was significant given the International Criminal Court warrant for Putin’s alleged war crimes. Ukrainian officials, including opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko, believe Putin has “bought himself more time” without a ceasefire or de-escalation agreement. European allies have expressed concerns about Trump’s approach, with some doubting Putin’s interest in a deal.
Zelenskiy had expressed fears that Trump might sell out Ukraine by freezing the conflict and recognizing Russian control over one-fifth of Ukraine. Trump mentioned the possibility of a second meeting, potentially including Zelenskiy, to further discuss a ceasefire and peace agreement. Zelenskiy has ruled out formally handing Moscow any territory and is seeking a security guarantee backed by the United States.
The summit’s outcome has implications for global diplomacy, with Putin viewing the meeting as a victory that showcases Russia’s return to the international stage. Trump’s approach has raised concerns among European leaders, who had been pushing for concrete steps to come out of the meeting, such as a ceasefire .
