Summit puts Putin back on the global stage and Trump echoes a Kremlin position
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Alaska Summit: Trump Says 'Great Progress' Made with Putin
Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a joint press conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. Image copyright: Kremlin Press Office/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump's meeting with Putin went very well and went a long way to settling the conflict in Ukraine. It was determined that the best path forward was a full peace agreement, rather than a short-term ceasefire deal, and the next step will be for Ukraine's Zelenskyy to travel to Washington on Monday where, if all goes well, a meeting between him and Putin will be scheduled to finally put an end to the killing.
Pro-establishment narrative
The only real winner from Friday's Alaska summit was Putin who, despite yet agreeing to a peace deal, did not face any additional sanctions or consequences. Rather, after Trump rolled out the red carpet for him, he walked away with a propaganda coup and ended years of global isolation. Trump, meanwhile, walked away empty handed after bending over backwards for the Russian leader.
Pro-Russia narrative
Under the previous U.S. administration, Russia's relations with the country fell to their lowest levels since the Cold War. Trump has to be credited for seeking dialogue rather than additional confrontation, as well as for seriously engaging with Russia's security concerns. Russia remains interested in finding a peace deal — as long as the conflict's root causes are addressed — and hopes that Ukraine and Europe's leaders work to advance the progress made, rather than seek to undermine them.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Zelenskyy had a long talk with Trump, in which European leaders also joined, after Trump's meeting with Putin. Ukraine stands ready to achieve peace and supports Trump's idea for a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. as this is a suitable avenue for resolving the differences in the situation, such as agreeing to security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy looks forward to his meeting with Trump on Monday.