US President Donald Trump told journalists after Ukraine’s talks with Vladimir Putin of Russia on the “there’s no deal until there’s a deal” but progress was made.
“We didn’t get there,” he said in an update to the press after their almost three-hour meeting in Alaska – here are the key lines
According to him, Putin says he is “sincerely interested” in putting an end to the conflict, but did not give further details.
Trump and Putin’s who had earlier exchanged a warm greeting on the tarmac in Anchorage, including two handshakes, before travelling together in Trump’s limo to the summit, did not take questions from the press.
In an interview after the talks, Trump urges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who wasn’t invited to the summit, to “make a deal”.
Trump who likes to tout himself as a peacemaker and a dealmaker, has been pushing for a ceasefire. He, however, left Alaska with neither, as Putin didn’t give it to him.
When is a “press conference” not a press conference
There was palpable surprise in the hall when Presidents Putin and Trump left the podium as soon as they’d delivered their statements – without taking any questions.
Members of the Russian delegation, too, left the room swiftly without answering any of the questions journalists were shouting at them.
Clear signs that when it comes to the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump still have a major difference of opinion.
Zelensky yet to comment on summit
It’s been several hours since President’s Putin and Trump went their separate ways, but nothing has been heard from Kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who wasn’t invited to the summit, is likewise yet to comment publicly.
After a meeting with European leaders on Wednesday, Trump promised that his first call after the Alaskan talks would be to the Ukrainian leader.
In an interview after the talks, Trump urged Zelensky to “make a deal”.
Relief in Kyiv, uncertainty for Ukrainians
Meanwhile, in Kyiv there will be sighs of relief that no “deal” has been announced that would cost Ukraine territory, Vitaliy Shevchenko writes
There are not high hopes in Ukraine about these talks, not least because the Ukrainians are not present.
Even while the summit was ongoing, Russia has launched more drones at Ukraine. It’s been shelling towns and villages near the front line, and Ukraine has had to move more forces to the east to stop a Russian advance.
President Zelensky has said there is no evidence that President Putin wants to end this war. He says the real test of these talks is whether they lead to a path for a “just peace”.
As far as he’s concerned, that means Ukraine being represented in negotiations. That might happen if these talks go well.
So far, Putin has refused to meet Zelensky. He doesn’t even recognise him as the country’s legitimate leader.
BBC News
