Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: Positive Tone, Few Details, and European Concerns

Alaska Summit: Long Meeting, Few Details, and Rising European Concerns

The highly anticipated Alaska summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has concluded. This marks the longest face-to-face meeting between the two leaders to date, yet it ended earlier than expected, with the two appearing before the media after approximately two and a half hours.

Despite the unprecedented duration of the talks, neither side explicitly revealed details of the discussions or areas of consensus, exacerbating concerns among European nations and Kyiv, fearing potential agreements reached without their input.

Trump's Statements: No Final Agreement, Further Consultations Ahead

Trump described his meeting with Putin as "extremely productive," while emphasizing that a final agreement to end the conflict has not yet been reached. He indicated that he would hold further consultations with NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"No deal means there's no deal yet," Trump said at a joint event with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska.

"We had a very productive talk, we agreed on many issues, there was consensus on most problems. There are still a few major issues that have not been resolved, but some progress has been made," he added. He further stated that he would inform Zelensky and NATO allies of the summit's outcomes.

However, Trump did not reveal which issues remain in dispute, or what problems might pose obstacles for Kyiv and its allies.

"There are very few problems left, some of which are not important. One of them is probably the most critical," he explained. "Although not yet resolved, it is very likely that an agreement can be reached."

Putin's Statements: Undisclosed Agreements, and a Future Meeting in Moscow

Putin emphasized in his remarks that the talks were "constructive," stating that the two sides reached some undisclosed agreements. He urged "the governments of Kyiv and European nations" to "approach this agreement constructively" rather than "undermining the progress that has just begun."

He also noted that Ukraine was just one part of the discussions, and that the two sides also spoke about expanding trade, strengthening commercial cooperation, and collaboration in Arctic and space exploration.

Putin said that countries "should turn this page." Finally, he even hinted in English that the next meeting would be held in Moscow, which Trump did not immediately deny.

Trump responded with a smile, "Oh, that's an interesting suggestion. I might get some criticism for that, but that's definitely possible."

Putin also said that US-Russia relations have deteriorated in recent years to "their lowest point since the Cold War," and that it is time for the two countries to move from "confrontation to dialogue."

However, he did not send any signal that he had softened his stance on Ukraine. Putin insisted that the "roots" of the conflict must be "eliminated," a term he has previously used to push for the demilitarization of Ukraine.

It is worth noting that the event, which was supposed to be a joint press conference, ended with the conclusion of Trump and Putin's speeches, and they did not take any questions from the media.

Think Tanks: Positive Atmosphere, but No Substantial Content

The meeting was quite dramatic. Trump stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the leader who has been isolated by Western countries since launching the full-scale military operation on Ukraine in 2022.

Although Trump repeatedly lowered expectations before the summit, even stressing en route to the meeting venue that he would "walk away" if he could not reach an agreement, he ultimately spoke with Putin for more than two and a half hours, far exceeding the meeting time of the 2018 Helsinki summit.

The opening of the summit was well arranged. This was Putin's first visit to the United States in nearly a decade, and Trump personally greeted him at home. They met on the airport runway, and Trump applauded Putin as he approached, warmly shook his hand, and patted his arm.

At the same time, the United States sent a formation of aircraft, including B-2 bombers, in a "show of force." However, Trump was seen placing his hand on Putin's back, and the two spoke easily, then rode together in the presidential motorcade to the meeting venue.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Vitkov accompanied Trump to the meeting, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov accompanied Putin.

A last-minute change was made to the "three-on-three" format of the meeting. Trump and Putin were originally expected to meet with interpreters only. Senior officials from both sides were scheduled to hold a larger meeting during lunch, but it appears that it was cancelled.

Prior to the talks, European allies were generally concerned that Trump would make excessive concessions to Putin, or even reach a broad agreement involving land swaps. Although the two leaders did not announce any concrete results to confirm this concern, doubts are growing.

Samuel Charap, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, described the event as "positive in atmosphere, but lacking any substantial content."

"Judging from what Trump said, the two sides did discuss some specific issues," Charap added. "But neither of them disclosed any substantive information. This press conference was quite restrained for Trump, as he adhered strictly to the specified formula, and it is clear that the two sides had previously agreed not to disclose the details."