Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin concluded their crucial discussions without reaching an agreement, omitting any mention of a “ceasefire” during their public statements.
The two leaders engaged in negotiations for nearly three hours upon arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, with the intention of finalizing a peace settlement for Ukraine. Speculations suggested the possibility of an eight-hour bilateral meeting to address the ongoing three-year conflict.
Following Putin’s initial remarks emphasizing the “neighbourly” ties between their nations, President Trump acknowledged that they had not managed to finalize an official deal despite their extensive conversation.
Expressing gratitude for Putin’s significant remarks, Trump characterized their interaction as “highly productive,” noting areas of agreement but acknowledging the absence of a formal agreement, stating, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
Contrary to his usual upbeat demeanor and post-meeting press interactions, Trump appeared subdued, leading analysts to infer challenges in making progress with the Russian counterparts. Matt Dimmick, former Russia director for the US office of the secretary of defense, interpreted Trump’s demeanor as indicative of difficulties in advancing negotiations with the Russian delegation.
Dimmick commented on the lack of specific outcomes shared with the press, suggesting that the absence of concrete achievements during the meeting reflected the overall nature of the discussions. He speculated that Trump and his team may have encountered obstacles in persuading Putin to consider ceasefire discussions as a priority for further action.
In conclusion, Dimmick remarked, “I don’t think he had anything to crow about up there on the stage,” highlighting the subdued nature of the meeting’s outcome.