Trump-Putin Summit Sparks Drama: Progress or Political Theatre?
Donald Trump left the world buzzing on Friday after his much-hyped summit with Vladimir Putin, claiming “great progress” but admitting there was still no deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Speaking in Anchorage, Alaska, Trump painted a picture of optimism, insisting that “many points were agreed to,” though he acknowledged a few unresolved issues remained – one of them being “the most significant.” He reminded everyone: “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
Adding a twist, Trump declared it was now up to Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “get it done,” hinting that a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin could soon take place – one he might even attend.
A Summit Full of Praise, But Short on Details
For nearly three hours, the two leaders met privately, showering each other with compliments while revealing no concrete breakthroughs. Putin backed Trump’s claim that the war would never have started had Trump won the 2020 election, while Trump boasted of his “fantastic relationship” with the Russian leader.
At their joint press conference, neither answered questions from reporters. Instead, Putin, speaking through an interpreter, praised Trump’s role as “precious” in pursuing peace, adding that Europe should avoid “backroom dealings” that might sabotage progress.
The Russian president doubled down on his usual “root causes” narrative – demanding guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO and repeating his vague calls for “denazification”, which in practice often translates to removing Zelenskyy himself.
Warm Welcome in Alaska Raises Eyebrows
What raised even more concerns among European allies was Trump’s warm, almost deferential reception of Putin. At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump greeted Putin with applause, a handshake, and even allowed him a ride in the iconic presidential limousine – “the Beast.”
Observers noted that the body language was worlds apart from Trump’s cold, transactional interactions with Zelenskyy earlier this year. Cameras captured Trump tapping Putin’s arm, while Putin grinned and cracked jokes as Cold War-era US jets flew overhead in a staged show of strength.
Inside the conference room, Trump sat with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was flanked by Sergei Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov. Unlike their infamous 2018 Helsinki summit, this time the talks were structured as a three-on-three negotiation, rather than a secretive one-on-one.
Critics Slam Trump for Giving Putin Legitimacy
Reactions were swift and harsh back home. Chuck Schumer accused Trump of rolling out “the red carpet for an authoritarian thug” and warned that the summit looked like “theatre, not diplomacy.”
Ken Martin of the Democratic National Committee went further, blasting Trump for a “sick obsession” with Putin and warning that his foreign policy essentially lets Russia “do whatever the hell they want.”
Critics also pointed out that by inviting Putin onto US soil for the first time in a decade, Trump risked granting him the legitimacy he craves after years of global isolation since his 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump: “I Want the Killing to Stop”
Despite the backlash, Trump insisted his only mission was to get Ukraine and Russia to the table. “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table,” he told reporters. He added bluntly: “I want to see a ceasefire rapidly … I want the killing to stop.”
Flying to Alaska aboard Air Force One, Trump admitted there was only a 25% chance of success, but vowed to walk away if talks went nowhere. “If it doesn’t work out, I’ll head back home real fast,” he told Fox News’ Bret Baier.
What’s Next?
Putin hinted the next round of talks could take place in Moscow, while Trump floated the possibility of bringing Zelenskyy into a future three-way summit. But doubts remain high:
Russia still demands a freeze on Ukraine’s mobilization and a halt to Western arms supplies, conditions Kyiv and its allies reject.
Europe fears Trump could “sell out” Ukraine by informally recognizing Russia’s control of occupied territories.
For now, the world is left waiting – caught between Trump’s promises of peace and critics’ warnings of political theatre.
Description:
"Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska, claiming “great progress” on Ukraine. Critics say it was more theatre than diplomacy. Here’s what really happened."