“No deal until there’s a deal”: Trump-Putin summit leaves Ukraine question unresolved

WASHINGTON, August 16 – The much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without a breakthrough on Ukraine, despite both leaders insisting progress had been made during their face-to-face meeting in Alaska. The talks, which lasted nearly three hours, were the first direct encounter between the two presidents since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking briefly to the press, Trump and Putin claimed the discussion had been “productive,” but they avoided answering questions and shared no concrete details of what had been agreed. Trump summed up the results with a characteristic phrase: “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

While the meeting fell short of producing an immediate ceasefire or a roadmap for peace, the event itself was symbolically significant. For Putin, the chance to meet a U.S. president in such a setting marked a diplomatic gain, as Western leaders have largely kept him isolated since the conflict began.

Talks with High Stakes but Few Tangible Results

The Alaska summit opened with a ceremonial welcome, where Trump greeted Putin on a red carpet as U.S. military aircraft flew overhead. This dramatic setting raised expectations that a bold announcement might follow. Instead, the outcome was more restrained.

Trump, who had previously promised to bring the war to an end within 24 hours of taking office, appeared to soften his tone. He hinted during a television interview later that evening that potential areas of negotiation included land arrangements and security guarantees for Ukraine. “I think those are points we’ve largely agreed on,” he said, while emphasizing that Kyiv’s approval was still essential.

Pressed on what advice he would offer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump responded, “Gotta make a deal. Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” He also suggested that a meeting involving Zelenskiy, Putin, and himself might take place soon, though he provided no specifics on when or how such a gathering would be organized.

Putin, for his part, avoided acknowledging any plans to meet Zelenskiy directly. Instead, he repeated Moscow’s long-standing view that “root causes” of the conflict must be addressed before a lasting peace is possible. His remarks signaled little willingness to compromise on key issues, particularly regarding territorial control.

Meanwhile, Zelenskiy, who was not invited to the Alaska meeting, stated that Ukraine was counting on Washington’s support. Speaking ahead of the summit, he expressed hope that it could lead to a “just peace,” while making clear that Russia had yet to take the necessary steps to stop its aggression.

The absence of Ukraine’s direct involvement underscored concerns in Kyiv and European capitals that Trump might cut a deal over their heads, potentially legitimizing Russia’s control over occupied territories. Although Trump reassured reporters before the summit that any concessions would ultimately be Ukraine’s decision, skepticism remains.

War Continues as Leaders Talk

While Trump and Putin exchanged handshakes in Alaska, the war on the ground showed no signs of slowing. Ukrainian officials reported overnight drone strikes across several regions, including Donetsk, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk. Air defense units intercepted dozens of incoming drones, but heavy damage was still recorded in some areas.

Russian authorities also claimed Ukrainian forces targeted the Rostov and Bryansk regions with drone attacks, though they reported that most were destroyed before reaching their targets. Both sides have escalated aerial assaults in recent weeks, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict.

The summit’s conclusion, lacking a concrete peace plan, was anticlimactic compared to the dramatic opening ceremony. Trump departed Alaska reiterating his wish for an immediate ceasefire, while conceding that achieving it was proving more difficult than he first thought. Putin, smiling as he wrapped up his remarks, told Trump in English: “Next time in Moscow.” Trump responded that he might “get a little heat on that one” but did not rule out the possibility.

The meeting included senior figures from both governments, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio from the United States and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Despite their presence, there was no joint communiqué or signed agreement, reinforcing the perception that the talks were more exploratory than decisive.

For Trump, the summit also intersected with his economic policies. He hinted afterward that progress with Putin had influenced his decision to delay tariffs on Chinese purchases of Russian oil. However, he stopped short of lifting penalties already placed on imports from India, another major buyer of Russian crude.

Zelenskiy and his allies remain wary that the U.S. administration may eventually pressure Ukraine into concessions. He reiterated in a statement that Ukraine would not surrender territory and was seeking strong security guarantees backed by Washington and NATO.

As both leaders headed back to their countries, the fighting showed no signs of slowing, remaining one of Europe’s bloodiest wars in decades. More than a million people, including thousands of Ukrainian civilians, have been killed or injured since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.