Unpacking Putin’s Grin: What Trump and Alaska Revealed About Their Encounter

The recent summit in Alaska between President Trump and President Putin has stirred up a lot of conversation. This meeting, labeled by Boris Johnson as “the most vomit-inducing episode in all the tawdry history of international diplomacy,” lasted nearly three hours, and the aftermath is being closely examined.

During the summit, Putin was generous with his praise for Trump, suggesting that the ongoing war would have been avoided if Trump had been in office. He noted that he had urged his predecessor against escalating hostilities, confirming Trump’s narrative. Despite the compliments, Trump did not achieve his main goal: a ceasefire in Ukraine. It’s uncertain how he will respond to this perceived failure.

Putin left Alaska looking triumphant. He had no major concessions to make and avoided new sanctions. Russian media has boasted about this success, celebrating the event’s positive outcomes for their leader. This summit allowed Putin to prolong military actions against Ukraine, continuing his assaults with little hindrance. He also seems to understand that he holds the upper hand over Trump—this awareness could be a significant boost for him in future negotiations.

Moreover, Putin’s compliments seem strategic. They may signal a desire for future talks, likely without Ukrainian involvement, positioning himself for further discussions with Trump. The gist of his argument is that resolving the conflict’s root causes is essential. This indicates that his ambitions remain unchanged: undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and blocking its NATO aspirations.

After the summit, Trump echoed Putin’s opinions on the need to move toward a peace agreement, rather than just a ceasefire. This puts Ukraine in a tough spot—they must continue fighting while negotiating under pressure. Some experts argue this approach is misguided, especially given Putin’s history of ignoring peace agreements.

In the wake of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a lengthy conversation with Trump about potential American security assurances for Ukraine. This marks a shift, as the U.S. had previously been hesitant to commit to such guarantees. Zelenskyy is set to visit Washington soon for further discussions with Trump and other European leaders, aiming to navigate the delicate situation more effectively.

Reactions to the summit highlight growing frustration in Ukraine. Many Ukrainian publications criticized the outcome, interpreting it as a “stab in the back.” The hope that Trump might distance himself from Putin’s praise has dimmed significantly.

Almost immediately following the summit, Ukraine announced its production of a new long-range missile called the “Flamingo,” capable of strikes up to 3,000 kilometers away. This development conveys a message: Ukraine is not backing down. The fighting continues unabated, and the war shows no signs of slowing.

In summary, the Alaska summit has changed little for Ukraine. The struggle continues, and the harsh reality is that there is no relief in sight.



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