Trump's Talk with Putin: What Really Happened?

A recent meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin left many questioning what was actually achieved. The summit, held in Anchorage, Alaska, was expected to bring progress in ending the war in Ukraine. However, it seems not much was settled.

A Lack of Clarity

Trump and Putin did not take questions from the press. This left many wondering what exactly was discussed. Trump mentioned that "many points were agreed to," but he did not provide any details. This lack of clarity raised eyebrows among critics and analysts.

Lowered Expectations

Before the meeting, the White House had lowered expectations, making it clear that a peace deal was unlikely. This set the stage for a summit that would not yield significant results. The absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the talks also raised questions about the inclusivity and fairness of the discussions.

Mixed Media Reactions

The media's reaction to the summit was mixed, with many criticizing the lack of concrete outcomes. Some saw it as a setback for Trump, while others believed it was too early to judge. Rich Lowry, editor-in-chief of the National Review, noted that Putin managed to delay talks on a ceasefire and got Trump to back off from threatening further sanctions.

Trump's Perspective

Trump, however, saw the meeting as a success. He took to Truth Social to criticize negative media coverage, calling it "Fake News." He insisted that the meeting was great, despite the lack of tangible results.

Criticism Over the Red Carpet Welcome

The summit also sparked criticism over the red carpet welcome Trump gave Putin. This gesture was seen by some as a validation of Putin's actions and a shift in U.S. foreign policy. Meghan Hays, a former Biden aide, argued that this move made the U.S. appear more aligned with Russia than with Ukraine and its NATO allies.

Rubio's Clarification

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back on reports that Trump supports a plan that includes abandoning a ceasefire and ceding the Donbas region. He stated that these are things the Ukrainian side would have to agree to. This added another layer of complexity to the already murky situation.

Unanswered Questions

Overall, the summit left many questions unanswered and raised concerns about the direction of U.S. foreign policy. It remains to be seen what, if any, long-term impacts this meeting will have on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.