In a closely monitored summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin without achieving a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Upon departure, Trump stated, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” but noted that "great progress" was made during their discussions. Despite the high-profile setting and choreographed welcome, the summit lasted less than three hours, resulting in only a joint statement.
During the meeting, Putin reiterated his long-held position that for a viable peace settlement, Ukraine must withdraw from several regions currently occupied by Russia, including Donetsk and Luhansk. He emphasized the need to address the “root causes of the conflict,” revealing a firm stance that Ukraine's NATO aspirations should be relinquished. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, firmly rejected any notions of ceding territory, expressing concerns that this would empower Russia for future aggression.
The aftermath of the summit saw Trump expressing camaraderie with Putin, claiming a “fantastic relationship” and hinting at future discussions without revealing specifics on essential issues still at hand. Neither leader addressed the press following their statements, and their intended discussions over a bilateral lunch were abruptly canceled.
Despite Trump’s prior threats of imposing severe consequences if no agreement was reached, he downplayed these threats during an interview post-summit, simply stating, "Maybe in two weeks, three weeks." Moreover, upon learning during a telephone call that Zelensky intends to visit Washington, Trump indicated he might facilitate a trilateral meeting involving both leaders.
The lack of conclusive progress in Alaska raises concerns for Ukraine as it navigates both military and diplomatic scenarios amidst the continuing conflict, which commenced with Russia's annexation of Crimea nearly a decade ago. Although no agreements were finalized to cede territory, the rhetoric employed by Putin suggests unresolved intentions regarding the autonomy of Ukraine as a nation state.
