Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin engaged in a three-hour meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, attended by official delegations from both the United States and Russia. The primary objective was to establish a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, an outcome that did not materialize.
Trump acknowledged ‘significant progress’ but stated that the summit did not reach an agreement on the war in Ukraine. He indicated his intent to hold discussions with NATO and Kyiv. Previously, Trump had emphasized his negotiation skills, suggesting he could bring Zelensky and Putin together.
The meeting, however, did not produce the anticipated results. In contrast, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev characterized the meeting as exceptionally positive. Trump’s decision to allow Putin to speak first at the press conference suggested that Putin had gained the upper hand during the discussions.
According to CNN, former National Security Advisor John Bolton stated that Putin clearly won the meeting. Bolton also highlighted that Trump gained little besides the prospect of future meetings.
During the press conference, Putin urged Ukrainian and European leaders to avoid actions that might hinder progress, hoping for a constructive approach.
Ahead of the summit, Dmitriev mentioned exploring ways to restore relations between Russia and the U.S. This suggests that the agenda extended beyond Ukraine and economic issues. TASS reported that the two leaders might also discuss global strategic security. Despite the lack of a ceasefire, both leaders expressed positive assessments of the meeting, which signals Putin’s success in addressing issues beyond the war in Ukraine.
Bolton also noted that Putin had made progress in re-establishing relations, a goal that Bolton believed was paramount.
Trump had warned Putin about potential consequences if a ceasefire was not achieved, and the administration had considered sanctions on Russian oil companies. However, despite the lack of a ceasefire, Trump’s positive assessment and the absence of sanctions suggested that Putin had achieved his objectives, while Trump had gained very little.
Trump announced that another meeting would take place soon, with Putin suggesting Moscow as the next venue. This raises the possibility that Zelensky might not be included in the next round of discussions, where Russia is likely to assert its position strongly.
Although the meeting did not lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine, it provided a glimmer of hope for future advancements. Trump mentioned his intention to communicate with NATO leaders and Zelensky.