In Alaska, Vladimir Putin outmaneuvered Donald Trump during their recent meeting, securing legitimacy, airtime, and the opportunity to divert attention from Ukraine. Trump, on the other hand, seemed to gain very little from the encounter.
The meeting setup was formal, resembling a G7 summit, with both leaders flanked by entourages on either side of a table. Following hours of discussions, a brief press conference was held, where Putin spoke first—a departure from the norm for visiting leaders.
Putin expressed willingness to cooperate with the U.S., emphasizing restoring pragmatic relations and resolving the Ukrainian conflict. Trump echoed the sentiment, mentioning a few significant unresolved issues regarding Ukraine without providing specifics.
After the meeting, Trump hinted at future engagements, prompting Putin to suggest a meeting in Moscow, leaving Trump slightly taken aback. Trump later mentioned positive exchanges with Putin on Fox News, highlighting Putin’s comments on the rigged 2020 U.S. election.
Upon returning to Washington DC, Trump engaged in calls with several world leaders, including Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aiming to continue discussions on ending the conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed support for a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia to address key issues.
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