No Ceasefire, No Deal: What the Trump-Putin Summit Means for Ukraine
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have left Alaska without securing a ceasefire in Ukraine.
After nearly three hours of talks in Anchorage, the two leaders issued brief statements but took no questions before departing. BBC correspondents assess what the outcome means for Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.
Trump Leaves Empty-Handed
“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Donald Trump admitted after the summit – effectively conceding that hours of negotiations yielded no ceasefire and no concrete progress.
Although Trump claimed “great progress,” he offered no details. Reporters hoping for clarity were left with vague assurances before the president abruptly exited without questions.
The former president, who has long styled himself as a master dealmaker, now leaves Alaska with little to show. America’s allies may be relieved he avoided risky concessions, but Trump’s credibility suffers after he had publicly rated the summit’s chance of failure at just 25%.
Adding to the optics, Putin dominated the stage with lengthy remarks while Trump stood by in silence – a reversal of the typical White House dynamic. On US soil, in what Russians still call their former “Russian America,” Putin appeared more at ease.
Now the focus shifts to whether Trump will deliver on his repeated threats of tougher sanctions. In a Fox News interview, he vaguely suggested “maybe in two or three weeks.” For many, that answer raises more doubts than confidence.
Putin in the Spotlight
The so-called press conference ended abruptly, with both leaders refusing questions and their delegations filing out quickly.
Trump had pressed for a ceasefire. Putin didn’t budge.
Earlier, Trump had given Putin the red-carpet treatment, elevating the Russian leader onto the world stage alongside the US president. For Putin, it was a diplomatic win – even without concessions.
Relief in Kyiv, But Anxiety Remains
For Ukraine, the absence of a deal brings relief. No agreement was reached that might have cost Kyiv territory.
Still, Putin’s remarks about addressing the “root causes” of the conflict suggest he remains committed to dismantling Ukraine’s independence – his original war aim.
That message, combined with the summit’s uncertainty, fuels fears in Ukraine. Western threats against Moscow have often passed without consequences. Ukrainians now worry Anchorage will be seen in Moscow as further license to continue the war.
Analysis: The Alaska summit has ended without progress. No ceasefire, no breakthrough, and no clarity on whether Trump will follow through with sanctions. Putin secured global attention; Trump left with diminished leverage; Ukraine braces for what comes next.
Watch: How the Trump-Putin summit unfolded in 82 seconds
Visuals: Maps of Ukraine’s war-ravaged regions
Verify: Russian attacks on Ukraine have doubled since Trump took office
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