Trump-Putin summit: What we know

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

During a high-profile summit in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks, held on Saturday, produced no immediate ceasefire, despite calls from Ukraine and European leaders for urgent action.

Trump emphasized that the focus should be on a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. “The best way to end this horrific war is a full Peace Agreement, not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often do not hold up,” he said. Analysts suggest this approach favors Putin, whose forces have recently gained ground in eastern Ukraine and who has repeatedly called for negotiations addressing Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

The military situation remains tense. According to Kyiv, Russian forces launched 85 drones and a missile strike overnight from Friday to Saturday, while Russia claimed to have captured two additional villages in eastern Ukraine.

Ahead of the summit, Trump had threatened “severe consequences” if Putin refused a ceasefire, including possible tariffs on countries assisting Russia’s war effort. However, after the meeting, he indicated that such measures were not currently necessary. European leaders pledged to continue pressuring Russia through sanctions until a “just and lasting peace” is achieved.

Ukraine had also feared that the U.S. might push it to give up territory currently occupied by Russia, roughly 20% of its land, not including Crimea. Neither Trump nor Putin addressed this issue during the summit, though Trump suggested only a few unresolved matters remained.

Security guarantees for any future peace deal were not included in the summit’s final declaration. Trump, however, indicated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders that NATO-style guarantees could be considered, though without full NATO membership for Ukraine. France, Britain, and other nations said they could provide troops to support a peace agreement, but not on the frontlines.

Looking ahead, Trump plans to meet Zelensky in Washington on Monday. He also hinted at the possibility of a three-way meeting with both Zelensky and Putin to further discuss a potential peace settlement.