Description: The highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to deliver any concrete results regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin and Trump symbolically met in Anchorage, Alaska at the US military base Elmendorf – Richardson, where the three-hour long discussions were finished by brief statements from both presidents. Putin allegedly outlined what has so far been Russia’s official position on the war while reportedly also agreeing on ensuring Ukraine’s security and stability through an internationally sponsored peacekeeping mission. Putin also reportedly demanded for Donetsk to be included in a potential ceasefire, as Russia would agree on territory exchanges in return for the cessation of hostilities. Officials from both sides have also discussed potential economic cooperation between the two countries, mostly in the Arctic, where oil and gas exploitation efforts on a joint base were suggested. Trump is set to meet Ukraine’s President Zelensky on Monday, 18 Apr, who will be accompanied by his European partners as they would discuss potential next moves after the Alaska Summit.
Impact: The high – profile leaders’ summit expectedly failed to deliver any concrete measures for the near future in the attempt for ending the war in Ukraine. Trump and Putin’s cordial meeting signaled a definite US – Russia diplomatic rapprochement which effectively emboldened Putin to practically dominate the meeting while agreeing to no official concessions. Trump managed to navigate away from any direct responsibility in case the US led peace initiative fails to deliver anytime soon, which indicates the US President has prioritized his country’s national interests over Ukraine’s position on the battlefronts and the country’s political future. The meeting was shadowed by a short-lived press conference and little to no details on concrete proposals except for Putin’s suggestion for territorial concessions on Ukraine’s part. Ukraine is unlikely to agree towards any substantial steps in the near future, as territorial changes to the country’s borders would have to be immune to other factors such as ironclad security guarantees and a referendum which would express the nation’s position on such suggestion. Zelensky’s meeting with Trump would either deliver the groundwork for a trilateral summit in the near future or continue the status quo which effectively diminishes the effects of the Trump – Putin summit.