Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a three-hour meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, with delegations from both nations in attendance. The primary topic of discussion was a ceasefire in Ukraine, which did not materialize.
Trump stated that substantial progress was made but no agreement on the Ukraine war was reached. He further stated his intention to speak with NATO and Kyiv. Trump had previously boasted of his deal-making skills, claiming he could bring Zelensky and Putin together.
However, the meeting fell short of these expectations. Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy, described the meeting as exceptionally positive. Trump allowed Putin to speak first at the press conference, suggesting Putin’s dominance during the talks.
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, speaking to CNN, suggested that Putin was the clear victor of the meeting. He stated that Trump had not won, but Putin had. Bolton also indicated that Trump had gained little beyond the prospect of future meetings.
During the press conference, Putin urged Ukrainian and European leaders to refrain from interference, expressing hope that they would approach the situation constructively.
Before the meeting, Dmitriev mentioned consideration of restoring ties between Russia and the U.S., suggesting the agenda extended beyond Ukraine and economic matters. TASS reported that the leaders might also discuss global strategic security. Both leaders offered positive assessments of the meeting despite the lack of a ceasefire, suggesting Putin’s success in addressing issues beyond the war.
Bolton noted Putin’s progress in re-establishing relationships, which Bolton had believed was Putin’s main objective.
Trump had previously warned Putin of consequences if a ceasefire was not agreed upon, with the administration contemplating sanctions on Russian oil firms. Despite the absence of a ceasefire, Trump’s positive remarks and the lack of sanctions led to perceptions of Putin’s success and Trump’s limited achievements.
Trump stated that another meeting would take place soon, with Putin suggesting Moscow as the next venue. This implies that Zelensky might not be involved in the next meeting, where Russia may further assert its position.
While the meeting failed to produce a ceasefire, it held out hope for progress in future discussions. Trump mentioned his plan to engage with NATO leaders and Zelensky.