Alaska, August 16(HS): The highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska wrapped up with plenty of cordial exchanges but little to show by way of substance. Both leaders struck a note of optimism, but the absence of any tangible progress on a ceasefire — let alone a broader peace framework — leaves the future of the Ukraine war shrouded in uncertainty.
President Putin praised the summit as “respectful and constructive,” while President Trump hailed the talks as “very productive.” Yet, once the cameras stopped rolling, the lack of a breakthrough was clear. The meeting itself, unusually brief by Trump’s standards, concluded without a single question entertained from the waiting press corps.
Hints of further diplomacy were left hanging in the final moments, with Trump declaring, “We’ll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon.” Putin, switching to English, quipped in response: “Next time in Moscow.” That prompted Trump — always mindful of domestic optics — to wryly acknowledge, “That would get me a lot of heat.”
For Moscow and Washington, the gathering will likely be framed as a success in tone, if not outcome. But for Kyiv, such diplomatic theatrics bring little comfort. With no ceasefire in sight, the war’s trajectory remains as uncertain as ever.
Shortly after, President Putin was seen boarding his aircraft to depart Alaska, ending a five‑hour visit that generated headlines but left behind more questions than answers.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
