So, what happens when two of the world’s most powerful men meet for nearly three hours… and walk away empty-handed?
That’s exactly what played out in Alaska, where Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Trump, ever the self-styled dealmaker, admitted bluntly: “We didn’t get there.”
His claim of “great progress” rang hollow, offering little more than vague assurances.
For a president who prides himself on striking big deals, leaving with nothing but headlines stings.
Especially after boasting that failure was only a 25% possibility.
Meanwhile, Putin got exactly what he wanted: the global spotlight.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. president, he appeared confident, even throwing in a sly “next time in Moscow” quip.
But On Substance?
He refused to budge. No ceasefire, no concessions — just the same Kremlin line about Ukraine’s “root causes.”
Translation: Moscow still aims to dismantle Ukraine’s independence.
In Kyiv, relief is mixed with dread. Relief that no backroom “deal” was cut at Ukraine’s expense.
On Aug. 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump briefly addressed the press after meeting for three hours in Anchorage.
Dread that empty threats and missed deadlines will only embolden Putin.
As one Ukrainian observer put it, every Western warning without consequences feels like a green light for Russia.
So after all the pomp in Anchorage, the question lingers: was this summit a diplomatic step forward — or just a long flight for nothing?
