Saturday, August 16, 2025.
US President Donald Trump's meeting with President Vladimir Putin is considered a major victory for the Russian leader, compared to Trump, who returned home sullen.
CNN reported that Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday (August 15, 2025) did not produce any clear results, no concrete agreement on a ceasefire or efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump only stated that his meeting with Putin was positive and constructive, and that several points were agreed upon. Meanwhile, Putin stated that there were understandings that were hoped to bring peace to Ukraine. CNN even reported that despite the lack of an agreement, Putin achieved several major victories. Trump, as the host, appeared annoyed and tired.
Putin's first major victory was a red-carpet welcome in the United States and a ride in the limousine "The Beast." This tradition, for a leader from a country with which relations have been strained, is considered extraordinary. CNN also described both events as a remarkable reprieve for the International Criminal Court fugitive and alleged war criminal. However, the scene was considered horrifying for the Ukrainian people. It was made even worse by the Kremlin's statement that Ukraine was a "brotherly" nation, despite having been killing its civilians for three and a half years.
CNN assessed that Putin's second victory was time. Time was of the essence, as Putin's offensive nearly turned incremental progress into a strategic victory.
Putin had also paid a heavy price for his troops to cross the Ukrainian front line. Furthermore, he appeared to be in no hurry, suggesting further meetings and continued work. Meanwhile, Trump was likely upset that Putin hadn't changed his stance on the "root causes" of the war. The Russian president even warned Ukraine and European countries not to interfere during the ongoing process. "We hope that Kyiv and European capitals will view all this constructively and will not create any obstacles, will not try to disrupt progress," Putin said.
After meeting Putin, Trump reportedly planned to hold phone calls with Ukraine and NATO members. He was expected to convey some kind of cooperation that Putin considered a "deal." However, from Trump's facial expressions and words, it didn't appear they had reached any significant agreement. The two heads of state didn't even have lunch together. After the meeting, Putin immediately boarded a plane and returned to his home country.
The most difficult part of the negotiations is the areas that still need to be agreed upon at the end.
Trump's statement that several "major" issues remain unresolved suggests little progress on issues like Putin's desired territory and a ceasefire.
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