U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin with a red carpet and fighter jet flyover at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, during their Ukraine peace summit. [Image by NBC News]
In a session at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump labeled the near-three-hour meeting “extremely productive,” as “many points were agreed to,” but admitted at least one major point remains unsettled. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he added.
Trump indicated the ball is now in the court of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and he proposed a three-way meeting. In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Trump said:
“Now it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess.”.
The Russian president also warned Europe not to “throw a wrench in the works” of peace efforts.
The summit was ceremonial but light on substance. Putin received a red-carpet reception, an American warplane flyover, and a tour in the presidential limousine “The Beast.” Trump received him warmly with a handshake and applause, a departure from his strained February meeting with Zelenskyy in Washington.
Putin Praises Trump, Warns Europe
Putin, speaking via an interpreter, complimented Trump’s efforts on Ukraine as “precious” and indicated that the two leaders had reached an “understanding.” He insisted Ukraine’s security be guaranteed but once again quoted his longstanding demands, including Kyiv abandoning NATO membership and “denazification.”
Critics denigrated the display. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer rebuked Trump for giving Putin “legitimacy, an international stage, zero accountability, and nothing in return.” The Democratic National Committee dismissed the summit as “political theatre” that lowered America’s profile.
Contrary to Trump’s vow to get a Ukraine ceasefire “quickly,” neither side reported any movement toward halting fighting. While the leaders were meeting in Anchorage, Kyiv announced new Russian missile and drone attacks.
European partners fear that Trump will push Ukraine to sign a “frozen conflict” establishing Russian dominance over the land. Trump dismissed the possibility, saying: “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table.”
Putin departed Alaska leaving foreshadowing that their next encounter would be in Moscow. Trump, smiling, said: “I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.”
For Putin, the summit was a diplomatic triumph, marking an end to years of Western ostracism since his 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For Trump, the inconclusive outcome calls into question whether his approach amounts to serious diplomacy or show.
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