Putin Gains Diplomatic Win as Trump Summit Ends Without Ukraine Ceasefire

The long-awaited meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded on Friday without a breakthrough on ending the Ukraine war, though both leaders claimed “progress” was made during talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

No Agreement, But “Progress” Claimed

Speaking after nearly three hours of closed-door talks, Trump admitted:

“We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.”

While no ceasefire deal was reached, Trump described the discussions as “productive”, saying both sides agreed on “many points” but left “a few significant issues” unresolved.

Putin echoed optimism, saying the meeting was “long overdue” and that both leaders had agreed on steps that could eventually lead to peace in Ukraine.

Putin’s Diplomatic Win

This was Putin’s first visit to Western soil since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His warm reception in Alaska – including a red carpet welcome and handshake from Trump – was seen as a symbolic victory for Moscow, following years of diplomatic isolation.

Analysts said Putin managed to secure a diplomatic boost without making any concrete concessions.

“Putin gave Trump what he wanted to hear, while offering nothing in return,” noted Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid.

Trump’s Message to Ukraine and NATO

Trump announced he would brief NATO allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European leaders on the outcome. He emphasized that:

• “No deal until there is a deal.”

• Ukraine and Europe must play an active role in any future agreement.

• He is open to attending a trilateral summit involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.

Later, in a Fox News interview, Trump advised Zelenskyy to “make a deal”, acknowledging Russia’s military strength while urging Ukraine to seek compromise.

Zelenskyy Responds: “Ready for Constructive Cooperation”

In his first reaction, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s proposal for a trilateral meeting.
He affirmed that Ukraine is:

• “Ready to work with maximum effort for peace.”

• Committed to involving European partners to secure long-term security guarantees.

Zelenskyy also confirmed he would meet Trump in Washington next week after consultations with European leaders.

European Leaders React

Following Trump’s calls with EU and NATO leaders, France and Germany issued a joint statement stressing:

• Ukraine must have “ironclad security guarantees.”

• Russia cannot veto Ukraine’s path to EU or NATO membership.

• International borders must not be changed by force.

European capitals expressed caution, with analysts warning that the meeting risked being a “big win for Putin” while delivering little for Ukraine.

War Continues During Talks

Even as leaders met, fighting persisted:

• Eastern Ukraine remained under heavy air raid alerts.

• Russian officials reported Ukrainian drone strikes in Rostov and Bryansk regions.

This underscored the reality that despite diplomatic gestures, the conflict shows no signs of ending soon.

What’s Next?

Trump closed the summit by hinting at a potential future meeting in Moscow.

“We’ll see you very soon — maybe in Moscow,” Trump said, prompting Putin to respond with a smile: “Next time, in Moscow.”

Whether that happens remains uncertain, but the Alaska summit made clear that major gaps remain on the road to peace.

Key Takeaways

• No ceasefire agreement reached in Alaska talks.

• Putin gains diplomatic legitimacy with U.S. recognition.

• Trump urges Zelenskyy to “make a deal.”

• European leaders stress security guarantees for Ukraine.

• War continues with no sign of immediate resolution.