In just a few hours spent in Alaska, Vladimir Putin managed to convince Donald Trump that a ceasefire in Ukraine is not the solution, to avoid new American sanctions, and to spectacularly shatter years of Western attempts to isolate the Russian president.
Outside of Russia, Putin was widely perceived as the winner of the summit, while in Moscow, the state media portrayed Trump as a cautious leader, even though many Western critics accused him of being overwhelmed, according to an analysis by Reuters.
The Russian press emphasized symbolic gestures: the military flyover, the red carpet, and the fact that Trump allowed Putin to travel alongside him in the presidential limousine dubbed "The Beast."
"The Western media is in a state that can be described as delirium, almost complete madness," said Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "For three years, they talked about isolating Russia, and today they saw the red carpet rolled out for the Russian president in the United States," she added.
Change in US Position on Ukraine
Putin's biggest gain was related to Ukraine. Trump had entered the discussions demanding a quick ceasefire and threatening Russia, as well as China, with sanctions. After the meeting, the American president stated that he agreed with Putin for the negotiations to move directly towards a peace agreement, not through a ceasefire - as Ukraine and its European allies had demanded.
"The position of the American president changed after the discussions with Putin, and now the discussion will not be about a ceasefire, but about the end of the war. And a new world order. Just as Moscow wanted," commented the Russian television presenter and propagandist Olga Skabeeva.
Restored Bilateral Relations
Just the organization of the summit was already a victory for Putin, bringing him back into the diplomatic spotlight, although he is targeted by an International Criminal Court warrant for the deportation of Ukrainian children - an accusation that Moscow denies. Dmitry Medvedev welcomed "the reestablishment of high-level meetings between Russia and the United States."
However, Putin did not achieve the desired economic reset: Trump stated that "no business will be conducted" until the war is over.
Pressures on Zelenski
Trump did not go as far as to "sell" Ukraine over Volodymyr Zelenski's head, but he has already put pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who is set to arrive in Washington.
"Ukraine needs to reach an agreement because Russia is a very large power, and they are not," Trump said after the summit.
According to sources, Putin reportedly asked Trump for Ukraine to cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for freezing the frontlines in Zaporizhia and Kherson, a proposal rejected by Zelenski.
Military Advancements and Economic Stakes
On the ground, Russian troops continue to gradually advance in Donbas, where Putin demands full control. According to the New York Times, Trump told European leaders that recognizing Donbas as Russian territory could facilitate a peace agreement, with the US ready to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine. However, critics warn that Putin's successes are limited.
"Russia has restored its status and resumed dialogue with the US. But when you have a war on your hands and an economy under pressure, these are limited gains," said French diplomat Michel Duclos.
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