Trump and Putin Depart Alaska Without Resolving Ukraine Conflict

"There's no deal until there's a deal." With these words, former U.S. President Donald Trump encapsulated the lack of tangible outcomes from his much-anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. During the brief 12-minute encounter, the two leaders discussed, but failed to achieve, a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The meeting concluded with a short statement, devoid of any questions or announcements of a ceasefire or official commitments. Trump acknowledged "some progress" and areas of agreement on "many points," but emphasized that a definitive agreement had not been reached. "The United States and Russia have yet to arrive at an agreement," Trump stated, adding that he would brief NATO and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on their discussions. "Ultimately, the decision lies with them," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin reiterated his usual rhetoric, urging Kyiv and European capitals to engage in "constructive" actions and avoid "provocations and backstage intrigues." The Russian leader stressed that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved without addressing what he sees as the "primary causes" of the war: threats to Russia's security. "The situation in Ukraine is deeply tied to fundamental threats to our security," Putin asserted, insisting that lasting peace is only achievable with a "fair balance" in European security and by eliminating the roots of the conflict.

Both leaders expressed willingness to continue discussions, though they did not disclose details about future steps. No announcement was made regarding a potential summit with Zelensky, leaving the negotiation process in uncertainty.

The reaction in the United States was swift. John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, argued that it would be "a mistake for Ukraine to accept a ceasefire. If a ceasefire is signed and battle lines are drawn, these lines become the new border between Russia and Ukraine, conceding significant territory to Russia."

The lack of concrete results from the Alaska meeting has been viewed by analysts as a setback for Trump's image as a negotiator. While he did not make explicit concessions, he also failed to achieve significant progress or demonstrate firmness against the Kremlin leader.

Putin appeared bolstered on the international stage. The joint photographs with President Trump on American soil could be seen as a symbolic victory for the Russian leader, who used the meeting to reaffirm his stance without making concessions to the United States.

The Alaska summit between Trump and Putin, despite its dramatic backdrop, left the world with more questions than answers about the future of this war that, as the Republican leader would say, "never should have started."