Ukrainians went to sleep on Friday night facing the unsettling prospect of Donald Trump being swayed by Vladimir Putin into offering major concessions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Saturday morning brought the news of a summit that fizzled without any strategic agreements, leaving many in Ukraine relieved but still unsettled. The focus quickly shifted to the visuals of the events in Alaska, where Putin was warmly welcomed in a display that many viewed as inappropriate given the context of the ongoing conflict.
As Putin touched down in Alaska, American soldiers rolled out the red carpet for him, with Trump offering enthusiastic applause and a friendly handshake. Observers noted that the two leaders shared jovial moments in Trump's limousine—a gesture that, given Putin's role in the Ukrainian conflict, was unsettling for many Ukrainians. "Red carpets are common in diplomacy, but not for someone responsible for countless deaths," commented Kyiv lawyer Maria Drachova. She voiced her dismay, remarking that the reception seemed designed to please Putin rather than reflect the gravity of his actions.
The symbolism of the event was underscored by the presence of American fighter jets escorting Putin's plane as he made his grand entrance, alongside an American B-2 bomber flying overhead. For Oleksandr Kovalenko, a writer from Ukraine, the summit epitomized the "legitimization of a war criminal," an impression that was echoed by others who found the display both unnecessary and distasteful. "No lavish ceremony was warranted for such a meeting," he stated, criticizing the pomp surrounding the events.
During a press conference after their meeting, Trump and Putin both appeared in good spirits, though the topics addressed sparked further outrage. Responding to a question about the killing of civilians, Putin smirked and gestured as if he could not hear. This reaction struck a bitter chord with Ukrainians like Serhii Orlyk, who suffered tremendous loss during the conflict. "I felt crushed seeing such a spectacle," he remarked, recalling the devastation that the war has wrought on his life and community.
In the ensuing discussions, Trump allowed Putin to speak first, giving a lengthy address that remarkably avoided acknowledging the impetus of the war. Analysts observed that this arrangement effectively positioned Putin as a figure of authority, further complicating the narrative surrounding his actions. Kier Giles from Chatham House remarked that Trump’s protocol favored Putin's rehabilitation on the global stage and suggested it would send mixed signals to Europe about dealing with him.
President Zelensky of Ukraine, aware of the implications of the summit, reaffirmed the need for consistent European support in negotiations and indicated his plans to return to Washington for further discussions. Analysts hope that together, they can devise a strategy to resist Putin's aggressive demands, while admonishing that grand receptions for the Russian leader are counterproductive to peaceful resolution efforts.
Kovalenko succinctly put the sentiment of many Ukrainians when expressing skepticism that the lavish display aimed to sway Putin towards cooperation with the U.S. instead of merely catering to Trump's whims without a clear strategy in mind.
