Putin gained time, but Trump still has to reckon with Zelanski
Donald Trump He did not leave the meeting with Vladimir Putin in two minuteswhat he threatened earlier this week if he finds that the leader of Russia does not take seriously the pursuit of lasting peace in Ukraine.
However-despite the greeting of the Russian president on the red carpet and read to several photos in a friendly atmosphere-after the meeting, Trump was extremely restrained, making a 12-minute statement for journalists. He basically admitted that he failed to get Russia to a greater movement.
“We didn't achieve it, but we have a great chance to achieve it,” Trump said, declaring that The talks were “extremely productive” and that “many points were agreed”. He admitted, however, that there was no progress in “one large case”, which seems to be an allusion to suspending weapons in Ukraine.
Within 48 hours preceding the summit in Alaska, there were suggestions that the goal was another, this time a three -sided meeting, in which the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelnski would also participate. But Trump and Putin flew away without any specific plans to meet again.
And when Trump said goodbye, telling Putin that “we would probably see again soon”, Putin replied: “Next time in Moscow.” Trump called it a “interesting” proposition And he said that “he imagined that it could happen.”
Trump promised that he would soon call Zelanski and his European counterparts to give them details. “It ultimately depends on them,” he admitted. According to two NATO officials, the findings regarding the conversation with allies took place shortly after Trump left the conference, hopefully to plan it within a few hours.
For now, Putin does not have to be afraid of sanctions
Putin, who flattered Trump with his comments, expressed his desire to end the war in a way that will take into account both the fears of Ukraine and Russia. However, his comments, referring to “fundamental threats to our security” posed by Ukraine and his demand that the settlement had to “eliminate all the main reasons for the conflict”, they clearly showed that he is not ready for concessions.
– I would like to hope that the agreement we have achieved together will help us get closer to this goal and pave the way to peace in Ukraine – said Putin.
A joint speech in the Elendorf-Richardson database was not very specific, and both leaders stood under the inscription “striving for peace”. However, it clearly showed that Trump does not intend to impose “very harsh consequences” on Putinwhich he threatened earlier this week in the absence of progress towards the end of the war.
It seems that the Russian leader who frustrated the next American presidents managed to gain time to prevent additional economic sanctions. Trump sometimes threatened them when his efforts in favor of peace got stalled. In addition, after Putin's visit to Alaska, it will be difficult to forget the view of an extremely warm welcome.
Vladimir Putin at the airport in Anchorage, August 15, 2025.
However, Kyiv avoided The worst scenario that some supporters of Ukraine were afraid of: Advertisements by Trump and Putin that they reached an agreement on the end of the conflict and increased the pressure on Zelanski to sign under it.
Trump has not forgotten about obligations towards Ukraine and NATO
Putin actually showed little interest in the end of the war, which Russia in his opinion wins. However, the impasse revealed in Anchorage may reflect the fact that Trump has changed its position in recent months to more compatible with allies in NATO And he repaired his relationship with Zelanski after a catastrophic meeting in the oval office in February.
Despite the promises made during the election campaign that he can end the war in Ukraine in a short time, The enthusiasm of Trump to conclude an agreement did not obscure his recent obligations towards European allies. He also does not try to force Ukraine to accept the peace agreement on Putin's terms, as he did at the beginning of his term.
Despite this, Trump clapped Putin when he arrived at the red carpet and laughed with him during a short ride in the presidential limousine. Showed a surprising degree of heat towards leaders who have been considered a global Parias since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – And who in recent months is more and more frustrating Trump because of his resistance to peaceful efforts.
A private conversation in a limousine, without the presence of advisers, occurred shortly after the White House announced that during the main meeting the leaders would not sit alone, but in the company of several key colleagues. Trump brought with him secretary of state Marco Rubio and a special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary of the White House, also announced that during lunch there will be an extended meeting with the participation of additional advisers. However, this did not happen, because the leaders went from the meeting three to three to the event announced as a joint press conference. However, Trump, known for being in the oval office, sits along with world leaders and answers journalists' questions, he did not give a single answer. Within an hour, both he and Putin got into separate planes to leave Alaska.
