Alaska summit: Ride in the Beast, ‘productive’ talks but ‘no deal’ on Ukraine – 10 takeaways from Donald Trump-Putin’s excessive-stakes meet

The assembly between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage was a tightly choreographed encounter. The two leaders greeted one another with prolonged handshakes on a purple carpet, shared the US presidential limousine generally known as “The Beast,” and watched B-2 stealth bombers and fighter jets fly overhead. After roughly two-and-a-half hours of talks with senior aides current, they gave temporary joint remarks to cameras but took no questions from reporters.Despite the heat gestures, the summit produced no concrete settlement. Trump stated, “We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,” but later acknowledged, “We didn’t get there,” including, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” Former nationwide safety adviser John Bolton judged the steadiness plainly: “Trump did not lose, but Putin clearly won,” and that “Trump didn’t come away with anything, except more meetings.” Putin, for his half, spoke of an “understanding” and instructed additional contact between the two leaders.

After years of diplomatic isolation following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s go to to US soil and his public assembly with the US president marked a visual return to prominence.The protection famous that it had been a couple of decade since Putin final visited the United States for a serious presidential summit. On arrival, he obtained ceremonial honours, applause and staged optics that Russian shops used to point out him standing beside the American president.The occasion gave Moscow materials to current at dwelling that Putin was once more a central actor in world affairs, regardless that many European capitals stay cautious or against his insurance policies.

Both presidents described the assembly in constructive phrases, but no formal settlement or signed deal emerged. Trump stated: “We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,” and later added, “We didn’t get there.” He additionally informed reporters, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”Putin stated he and Trump had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine and that they “hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” but neither aspect introduced concrete, binding measures at the summit.

On the tarmac and in public remarks the two males projected heat. Trump stated: “The meeting was a very warm meeting between two very important countries — and it’s very good when they get along. I think we’re pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it.” Also learn: How reporters put Putin on the spot with robust questions in AlaskaThe pair exchanged prolonged handshakes, smiles and casual dialog on digital camera, with Putin at one level providing, in English, “next time in Moscow,” to which Trump replied that “that’s an interesting one” and that “I could see it possibly happening.”

The summit was organized and formed rapidly; officers acknowledged a unique tempo from typical summit diplomacy. Trump had instructed the assembly was one thing of “a feel-out meeting” and had stated he may stroll out rapidly if it went poorly, but he didn’t. With aides current fairly than a standard, closely ready two-occasion negotiation, the encounter departed from the multimonth planning that usually precedes conferences between heads of state.A deliberate one-on-one encounter didn’t materialise. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the beforehand deliberate one-on-one would as an alternative be “a three-on-three discussion including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.” Putin attended with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and international affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov. The late alterations to who could be in the room and on stage had been a part of the summit’s improvised character and had been extensively reported in the run-as much as the leaders’ assembly.

Putin claimed that he wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if Donald Trump had been in workplace, a pointed comment made after their almost three-hour summit in Alaska. “That’s a big mistake today, when President Trump is saying that if he was the president back then, there will be no war — and I’m quite sure that it would indeed be, so I can confirm that,” Putin stated. He added, “I think that, overall, me and President Trump have built a very good business-like [relationship].”Trump, who has lengthy argued the warfare started beneath President Biden’s watch, didn’t immediately reply to Putin’s remark but reiterated his stance: “This isn’t my war. This is Biden’s war. Biden screwed this up…”

In the joint look Putin spoke for about eight minutes and thirty seconds, whereas Trump spoke for just below 4 minutes. Putin used his time to stipulate Russia’s messaging and to thank Trump for the “friendly” tone of their dialog; Trump’s shorter remarks reiterated his view of constructive dialogue and his hope for progress that would come with Ukraine’s settlement.

Before his assembly with Putin, Trump stated that he may think about imposing tariffs on international locations shopping for Russian oil—although not instantly.“Well, because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that,” Trump informed Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don’t have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well,” he added.Trump claimed that earlier tariffs on India’s Russian oil imports influenced Moscow’s decision to engage. “When you lose your second largest customer, and you’re probably going to lose your first largest customer, I think that probably has a role,” he said.India, however, denied halting oil purchases and criticised U.S. tariffs as “unjustified and unreasonable.”

Ukraine did not participate in the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in advance and after the meeting that Kyiv was excluded and urged strong US support: “It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America.” He added in later remarks that “Everyone wants an honest end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war,” and warned: “The war continues and it continues precisely because there is no order, nor any signals from Moscow, that it is preparing to end this war.”

Both presidents signalled additional contact. Trump closed his remarks saying, “we’ll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.” Putin had provided “next time in Moscow.” In a submit-summit interview Trump stated he would name Zelenskyy and European leaders to temporary them and famous he was holding off on rapid new sanctions: “Because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now,” although he added he “may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something.”