International media outlets report on the end of Russia's isolation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Trump-Putin summit
The much-anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, concluded without a formal deal on the Ukraine conflict. The South China Morning Post reported that the meeting ended as an "empty promise," while The New York Times described it as a show of friendship that lacked concrete outcomes.
Trump had hoped to secure an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, but this was not achieved. The meeting did not lead to an end to Russia's diplomatic isolation from the West, as many had hoped. According to Russia Today (RT), a lasting resolution to the conflict requires addressing all underlying causes and considering Russia's legitimate concerns.
Despite diplomatic visibility and some "great progress" claimed by Trump, the meeting's failure to produce binding agreements or include key parties led many to regard it as more symbolic than a genuine step toward peace. The absence of a ceasefire deal or concrete pathway forward underscored this perception.
Trump and Putin spoke warmly with each other during the summit, with Trump inviting Putin to ride with him in the presidential limousine. Putin invited Trump to Moscow during the joint press conference, and Trump replied that he would consider the possibility. Both leaders expressed hope that the talks could serve as a starting point for resolving issues and restoring pragmatic relations.
However, Ukraine and several European countries felt sidelined, raising concerns about their interests being overlooked and Europe's diminishing influence on the conflict. Western observers noted the summit lacked genuine progress, with Putin emphasizing the "primary causes" of the conflict and warning against external interference, which suggested a hardened position rather than compromise. Critics pointed out that while Russia and the U.S. negotiated, the real stakeholders—Ukraine and EU nations—were absent, leading to views that they were "left out in the cold," undermining the legitimacy and effectiveness of the meeting.
Trump himself acknowledged the difficulty of the conflict and admitted prior underestimation, highlighting the complex challenges in reaching a solution. The Wall Street Journal headlined that Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin but got little in return. Le Monde criticized the press conference as not being a real one, as journalists were not allowed to ask questions.
Despite the lack of a deal, both sides have expressed a desire for another meeting. The South China Morning Post described the summit as "productive" and progress had been made towards peace in Ukraine. Russia Today (RT) states that another meeting between Putin and Trump is desired by both sides.
In summary, while the Anchorage summit did not result in a deal on the Ukraine conflict, it served as a starting point for dialogue between the US and Russia. However, the absence of key parties and concrete outcomes has led many to view the meeting as more symbolic than a genuine step toward peace.
The summit between Trump and Putin, despite Trump's hopes, did not produce a binding agreement addressing the Ukraine conflict, which some view as an empty promise. The meeting's failure to include key parties like Ukraine and EU nations led critics to perceive it as a symbolic gesture rather than a genuine step towards peace.
