Article text:

US President Donald Trump concluded his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska without a conclusive deal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Addressing the press after their session, Trump remarked, "There's no deal until there's a deal," indicating that while they had made strides, a resolution was still distant. On his way back to Washington, Trump communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set to visit the US capital next Monday.

The meeting was highly publicized, with aspirations for a ceasefire, yet it ultimately yielded no significant advancements. The leaders showcased a carefully arranged arrival at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Putin disembarked onto a red carpet amid a military display and was warmly welcomed by Trump, leading to a photo opportunity before their private discussions.

Despite high expectations, their meeting lasted under three hours, culminating in a simple joint statement for the media. Putin insisted that resolving the Ukraine conflict requires addressing its underlying issues, suggesting that Ukraine must abandon its claims to territories held by Russia and reconsider its NATO ambitions. Conversely, Zelensky has firmly rejected the notion of ceding territory, fearing it might embolden Russia for future attacks.

Putin further pressed for cooperation from Ukrainians and Europeans to avoid obstructing peace efforts, while Trump reiterated his "fantastic relationship" with the Russian leader, sidestepping details on critical negotiation points. A planned "working lunch" to follow the session was also scrapped, raising questions about the depth of dialogue.

In a subsequent Fox News interview, Trump characterized the summit as successful but provided little additional clarity on the outcome. With increasing tensions around potential repercussions for Russia if peace is not achieved, Trump had issued warnings prior to the meeting. However, he shifted his focus during the interview to future possibilities, stating, "Maybe in two weeks, three weeks," regarding potential results.

Notably absent from the talks was Zelensky, who, after briefing with NATO leaders, expressed encouragement regarding US commitments to Ukraine's security. While Ukrainian officials may find solace that no decisions compromising territory were made, anxiety persists as Putin reaffirms justifications for prior aggression against Ukraine, raising concerns for the geopolitical landscape in the region.