The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska was not a disaster, but it lacked success as no follow-up was established. Putin emerged with a slight advantage since there were no new sanctions imposed on Russia. Trump suggested seeking a comprehensive peace agreement rather than an immediate ceasefire. Putin's desire for continuing peace talks coincides with ongoing military actions in Ukraine, indicating that he did not receive a definitive negative signal regarding further aggression.
The summit wasn't the disaster that some feared it would be in Europe or in Kyiv - the capitals where people were waiting anxiously to see what happened. Nothing was really given away (in terms of territory), but it wasn't a success either because we didn't hear details of a follow-on meeting.
In terms of winners and losers, I think on this one, Putin came out slightly ahead. For instance, there was no mention of any intensification of harsher sanctions being imposed on Russia, which is something that Putin, I'm sure, was desperate to avoid.
President Trump mentioned seeking a comprehensive peace agreement as opposed to an immediate ceasefire followed by talks, which is what the Europeans have been pushing for and Kyiv as well.
As for that, it's maybe not a green light for further aggression, but he definitely didn't get a red light.
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