Alaska 2025: Trump–Putin Meeting in Anchorage Yields PR, Not Peace
- Teo Drinkovic
- 17 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Why the much-anticipated Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska failed to resolve the Ukraine conflict, and what's next
Introduction
The long-awaited Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska, which many hoped would end the war in Ukraine, unfortunately delivered no definitive answers. Held at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska, it was chosen for its symbolic weight and strategic infrastructure. axios.com
Although the world’s attention was fixed on President Trump to finally bring peace, next to nothing was accomplished in that regard. The war in Ukraine continues unabated; bombs still fall, even during the Trump–Putin talks, people die daily on both sides, and Russia continues advancing. As we said, nothing has changed so far.
Announcement of a New White House Meeting
At least there were hints toward ending the war, at least, from President Trump’s perspective, and new meetings were announced to include Ukraine and European representatives, scheduled to take place at the White House. CNBC.com
These upcoming talks at least involve Ukraine and Europe, unlike the current one-sided discussions between the U.S. and Russia—Trump versus Putin.
Arrival and Ceremony
The summit, titled “Alaska 2025,” featured a red-carpet arrival marked by a flyover of four F-22 fighter jets.
Trump landed in the morning; Putin arrived later, and both were filmed greeting each other warmly on a platform labeled “ALASKA 2025.” They were then driven in the same limousine, without interpreters, a gesture observers interpreted as a symbol of trust.
Attendees of the Trump-Putin Summit
Instead of the planned one-on-one meeting, the conversation became trilateral: on Trump’s side were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff; on Putin’s side were Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and aide Yuri Ushakov. foreignpolicy.com
The meeting lasted from approximately 11:32 to 14:18, followed by a joint press conference.
Press Conference
Putin spoke about the need to “remove the root causes” of conflict, emphasizing a foundational solution.
Trump praised his relationship with Putin as “fantastic,” also noting that the “Russia hoax” had made the meeting more difficult, yet he offered no concrete outcomes. Neither leader took questions from the media.
Meeting Content & Trump’s Shifting Position
Known for his shifting positions, Trump once again changed tack: though he had previously pushed for a ceasefire, he now advocated a full peace deal, not just a ceasefire. According to some sources, Putin offered to freeze the front lines if Ukraine surrendered Donetsk, a proposal President Zelensky swiftly rejected. BBC.com
For the first time, it appears Putin agreed that the U.S. and Europe could offer NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine, akin to Article 5, without NATO membership.
Article 5 states that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all, requiring collective defense. NATO.int
Details of this proposed arrangement remain unclear. After telling Zelensky about Putin’s proposal, Trump passed the responsibility to him, prompting critics to accuse Trump of shirking responsibility.
Who Won? Russia, and Putin, Again
It seems the biggest winner of the summit was Russia. Even though sanctions remain in place, Putin once again managed to avoid making real concessions. He regained international attention and legitimacy, while his critics argue that Trump undermined Ukraine’s position and granted Russia a diplomatic gift. APNews
The war continues to escalate, and both the EU and Ukraine have expressed concern that talks have sidelined ceasefire demands. Experts noted that Putin emerged from Alaska without facing any penalty and reclaimed his status as a global actor.
Curiosities from the Summit
Journalists revealed that internal documents, such as scheduling details and plans for a ceremonial gift, the “American Bald Eagle Desk Statue”, were left in a printer at the hotel, raising additional controversy and security concerns.
Additionally, due to sanctions, Russia had to pay in cash to refuel its plane in Alaska, an unusual sight. npr.org
Conclusion
On the Eastern Front, nothing new. The war rages on, and now we must wait to see what unfolds in the meetings scheduled between the U.S., Ukraine, and EU representatives. If the Alaska summit is any indication, however, expectations for the upcoming White House talks should remain modest.