The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska lasted nearly three hours, ending without any agreements—but full of symbolism and gestures. Observers from around the world described the meeting as more of a PR spectacle than a diplomatic breakthrough. Reactions from President Zelensky and European leaders followed shortly after.
On August 15, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for their long-anticipated summit—their first face-to-face meeting since 2019. The event was rich in protocol and political theatre, but light on results.
Body Language and Symbolism
The meeting’s setup exuded a friendly and informal tone: a red carpet, fighter jets overhead, warm handshakes, and gentlemanly smiles. A nonverbal communication analyst noted that Trump appeared respectful in his gestures, while Putin sat with a confident, dominant posture.
The leaders greeted each other as old acquaintances. International media outlets described the reception as “warm” and even “unusually friendly.”
Talks With No Concrete Outcome, But Plenty of Theater
The talks lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes—shorter than the 6 to 7 hours initially expected, but reportedly dense. The Russian side spoke first, breaking traditional diplomatic protocol. Whether this was a spontaneous decision or an agreed detail with Trump remains unclear.
Putin’s speech lasted just over eight minutes. He referenced Alaska as a symbol of cooperation, mentioned World War II lend-lease aid, and called the Ukrainian people “brothers.” He claimed both sides had “laid a path toward peace in Ukraine,” though he offered no specifics.
Trump’s remarks were under four minutes. He described the meeting as “very productive,” noted some progress, but stressed: “No deal means no agreement.” He promised to brief President Zelensky and Western allies on the outcomes. Trump also commented that Ukraine “should make a deal” with Russia, calling it a “very powerful force.”
Zelensky and Western Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with cautious optimism, reiterating that no decisions about Ukraine should be made without Ukraine and its European allies.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Zelensky called on Trump to increase pressure on Moscow and tighten sanctions if Putin tries to avoid a future trilateral meeting.
“I told President Trump that sanctions must be strengthened if there is no trilateral summit or if Russia evades an honest resolution to the war. Sanctions remain an effective tool,” Zelensky wrote.
He emphasized that Ukraine’s sovereignty and security cannot be negotiated behind closed doors:
“All issues critical to Ukraine must involve Ukraine. Especially territorial matters—no one can decide them without us.”
Zelensky also stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia until its full withdrawal and the end of hostilities:
“The goal must be lasting peace—not just another pause between invasions. We must stop the killings, the shelling, and the destruction of our ports. Pressure must continue until Russia ends its aggression and occupation.”
Europe’s Position
European leaders echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to security guarantees and full sovereignty. In a joint statement, they expressed support for Trump’s efforts and openness to a potential trilateral summit involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe.
“We are ready to work with President Trump and President Zelensky on organizing a trilateral summit with European backing,” the statement said.
“Ukraine must be granted reliable security guarantees to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s declaration of U.S. readiness to provide such guarantees. Ukraine’s military cooperation with third countries must not be restricted, and Russia cannot veto Ukraine’s path toward the EU and NATO.”
European officials added that support for Ukraine will continue and that pressure on Russia—through sanctions and economic measures—will intensify if needed.
Media and Expert Reactions
Western media remained skeptical. The Guardian called the summit a “PR win” for Putin without any real concessions. Experts noted that the lack of new sanctions was a relief for energy markets, but a true diplomatic breakthrough remained elusive.
