President Putin walked away from his summit with Donald Trump in Alaska today, securing a significant victory for Russia. No concessions were made during the meeting, leaving analysts questioning the outcome and sparking debate in Washington.
The meeting, marked by a lavish welcome – Trump famously rolled out the "red carpet" – saw Putin seemingly gain valuable time and leverage, potentially impacting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. CNN reports the summit provided Putin with an opportunity to further pressure Ukraine.
Putin offered a terse, three-word response to reporters attempting to question him about the invasion, demonstrating a clear unwillingness to engage on the topic. This evasiveness fueled criticism from political figures in the US.
The Financial Times highlights the backlash in Washington, with many expressing concern over Trump's approach to the Russian leader. Russia, meanwhile, is celebrating what appears to be a successful diplomatic maneuver.
