Ukrainians went to sleep on Friday night facing the alarming prospect that Vladimir Putin might entice Donald Trump into making substantial concessions regarding the war.
They awoke on Saturday morning to discover that the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska had instead collapsed without any strategic or political agreements. It was an unusual instance of a failed summit that felt like a relief.
With no significant progress made, focus in Ukraine shifted to the summit’s visual elements – the “optics,” as it is referred to in political discourse.
Putin, the individual accountable for the destructive war of aggression against Ukraine, was greeted with the friendliest reception imaginable in Alaska. American soldiers knelt down to actually unroll the red carpet for him. Trump praised him as he came near and extended a warm handshake. The two leaders traveled together solo in Trump’s presidential limousine, and Putin was spotted laughing as the vehicle departed.
The greeting laid the groundwork for a spectacular comeback to the world diplomatic scene for the Russian president, who has been shunned since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and set the tone for the rest of the day.
The sight was unwelcome in Ukraine.
“In this case – for an aggressor responsible for the deaths of millions – it should not have happened,” said 40-year-old lawyer Maria Drachova, who practices in the capital Kyiv. “Red carpets and this level of ceremony are normal at international events.”
Drachova claimed that it seemed as if “the entire event was staged to please Putin” upon awakening and viewing the video during breakfast.
“The rational world is behaving irrationally by giving him this welcome,” she stated.
Putin’s aircraft was accompanied to the airbase in Alaska by four U.S. fighter jets, and while he walked down the red carpet, chatting cheerfullywith Trump, an American B-2 bomber passed overhead, escorted by four additional jets.
Ukrainians who had remained awake to observe the event were witnessing the “legitimization of a war criminal at the highest echelon,” remarked Oleksandr Kovalenko, a Ukrainian author and political analyst.
“Kovalenko stated that this showiness was completely unnecessary.” “This meeting ought to have been held in a more subdued manner – simple, lacking this degree of decorum.”
Following the pleasantries, Trump and Putin took their seats before a cluster of journalists at Elmendorf Air Force Base, beneath a sign that stated “Pursuing Peace.” A question was yelled at Putin: “Will you stop harming civilians?”
The Russian leader seemed to smile slightly and pointed to his ear to indicate he wasn’t able to hear.
Amid the smiles, laughter, and prevailing goodwill, the gesture resonated negatively in Ukraine, where countless lives have been lost or harmed due to Russia’s aggressive war.
“When I witnessed the events, I felt devastated,” remarked Serhii Orlyk, 50, from the eastern region of Donetsk, which has been mostly captured by Russian troops and has experienced some of the fiercest battles of the conflict.
“I lost my house two times, in Sloviansk and in Donetsk.” “I lost family members,” Orlyk stated. “I realize that for an agreement to be reached, there needs to be a process; you can’t just hit Putin when he shows up.” However, it was an extremely uncomfortable sight – particularly his grins.
The respect for Putin persisted even after the talks. In a combined announcement to the media, Trump allowed the Russian leader to address the audience initially. He spoke for roughly eight minutes, skillfully sidestepping any reference to the war’s origins – which stemmed from a shocking and unprovoked action by Russia.
Putin seemed lively, pleased with the outcome of the summit. In contrast, Trump seemed unusually subdued and talked for hardly two minutes. He could not claim anything resembling a deal – the currency in which he usually engages.
Rather, he had given the initiative to Putin, stated Kier Giles, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House.
“It was a significant triumph for Putin even before he stepped off the plane, to be restored in this way,” Giles stated. “Trump has enabled him to arrive and be welcomed as a head of state, even though he should be struggling to travel due to being a globally sought war criminal.”
Giles stated that Trump’s strategy probably wouldn’t motivate European leaders to act similarly. “It will only highlight the necessity of not conceding to Putin’s requests regarding Ukraine and avoiding the same types of drama that are bringing Trump criticism.”
In a statement on Saturday, President Zelensky emphasized the necessity of European leaders participating at each phase of the negotiations. They are frequently regarded as a safeguard against the chance of Trump being excessively swayed by Putin.
However, prior to that, Zelensky will return to Washington on Monday, the site of his unfortunate Oval Office confrontation with Trump in February. He will be wishing for a more favorable result this time, along with a route to peace that doesn’t require yielding to Russia’s assertive demands.
Oleksandr Kovalenko, the political analyst, stated that the US possessed a “broad array of resources” to aid Ukraine in that endeavor. However, he stated that pomp and ceremony for President Putin should not be included.
“Kovalenko remarked that this might have been designed to mislead and compliment Putin, encouraging him to adhere to the White House’s approach.”
“However, I have my doubts.” It is more probable that it is Trump’s caprice, lacking any strategy whatsoever.