The first meeting between the American and Russian presidents since Vladimir Putin launched his war on Ukraine three-and-a-half years ago resulted in no ceasefire, and no concrete results. So, what did President Trump and President Putin achieve?

Anchorage

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin convened in Anchorage, Alaska, for their first meeting since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has resulted in significant loss of life and global instability. Despite initial hopes, the summit concluded without any concrete agreements or resolutions, with both leaders claiming progress but providing no specifics.

The meeting was marked by diplomatic ambiguity and a warm reception for Putin, who faces an international arrest warrant. Trump did not accept a Russian proposal that would have forced Ukraine to cede territory, but later echoed Putin's call for a peace deal without a ceasefire, a move that left Ukraine and European leaders concerned. The outcome of the summit remains uncertain, with future implications for the ongoing conflict.

The Summit: Trump's diplomatic gambit, and Putin's prize

Anchorage, Alaska is a world away from eastern Ukraine, the site of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. For three and a half years, the conflict has taken more than a million lives, upended global alliances and sent the economy of the world into turmoil. Could a process begun here in Alaska, this former Russian territory, slow and ultimately halt that devastating history? That was the question Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were here to answer as they held their first meeting since the invasion began. The question was not answered. The summit ended in a fog of diplomatic ambiguity, both sides claiming progress, declaring friendship, but announcing no concrete results. We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. Scheduled meetings were canceled, lunch called off, questions by a large international contingent of reporters left unasked at a press conference that never happened. It was a muted, anticlimactic end to a day that began with a red carpet and a roar. President Trump clapped for his guest as Putin strode toward him and then bestowed the handshake and the pat he reserves for those with whom he feels solidarity. Above them, the thunder of a B-2 stealth bomber flanked by American fighter jets. That military flyover was the only faint echo of Mr. Trump's earlier vow that Putin would face serious consequences if he refused a ceasefire. Come sit by the fire was the feeling instead, as a warm reception helped Putin step in from the cold. A frigid reception would have greeted him in any of the 125 countries that abide by the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of overseeing the deportation of Ukrainian children, a violation of international law. Instead, President Trump concluded the greeting by hosting Putin in his limousine. The welcome was a striking contrast to Trump's sharp Oval Office treatment of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards. I'm not playing cards. Right now, you're playing cards. I'm very serious, Mr. President. You're playing cards. I'm very serious. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. In Alaska, Trump ultimately did not accept a Russian proposal that would have compelled Zelensky to cede land against his will, the outcome Zelensky and European leaders most feared. But by Saturday, the president had reversed course, echoing Putin's demand for a peace deal without a ceasefire, leaving Russia free to fight on and build leverage. Monday, the Ukrainian president travels to Washington to get an explanation about that. Though the Anchorage meeting is over, its history is unfinished. We don't yet know if the red carpet was all carrot and no stick, or bait to draw Putin closer to hear the hard terms. What is certain is this, Vladimir Putin left Alaska with a prize rarer than gold for a wanted man, applause on American soil from the most powerful leader in the world.

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The Summit: Trump's diplomatic gambit, and Putin's prize

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Ukraine Invasion