The Russian president got much of what he wanted from Trump, without promising anything in return.
August 16, 2025 – Translated from Italian via Goggle Translate
The meeting in Alaska with Donald Trump was a success for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who got much of what he wanted without having to give anything in return. Putin broke the international isolation imposed on himself and Russia and gained public legitimacy from the US president, without having to make any concessions on the war in Ukraine or halt Russia’s military offensive. He also managed to avert the risk of tariffs and sanctions on the United States, despite Trump’s threats if the meeting went badly.
This trend has been evident ever since Putin stepped off his presidential plane in Anchorage, Alaska. Trump greeted him with full military honors and gave him a brief round of applause. When a reporter shouted, “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” he pointed to his ear, as if to say he couldn’t hear.
Trump then ushered Putin into the US presidential limousine, and the two traveled together from the airport to the meeting. It’s a rare honor; leaders often travel separately. As he climbed into the car, Putin smiled.
The closed-door meeting lasted just over three hours, much less than the seven originally scheduled. The two then held a brief press conference in front of reporters, but did not take questions. On these occasions, it is usually the host country’s leader who speaks first and sets the tone. In this case, Trump allowed Putin to begin.
Putin said the two had reached some kind of consensus that “will pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” but Trump clarified that no agreement had been reached, even though the meeting was “very productive.” Trump hinted that progress had been made on some issues, but that others still needed to be resolved: “We agreed on many points, but there are still some remaining.”
Putin, however, continued to say that the war in Ukraine will only be resolved when “the root of the problem” is eliminated. In the past, the authoritarian Russian leader had repeatedly made it clear that for him, the “root of the problem” is Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
Perhaps most notable is the deference with which Trump continued to treat Putin. In recent months, Trump had appeared increasingly exasperated and nervous with Putin, who continued to thwart his every attempt at peace in Ukraine. In July, he said: “He’s always very kind, but in the end, this kindness means nothing.” After the in-person meeting, however, all the exasperation vanished: “I’ve always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir,” he said on Friday.
Another major achievement for Putin was managing to avert the risk of new American sanctions. Before arriving in Alaska in recent days, Trump had said there would be “very serious consequences” if Putin did not agree to a deal, but after the meeting he made it clear that these consequences will not arise for now.
In recent weeks, Trump had also issued ultimatums to Russia, threatening severe economic retaliation if it continued to obstruct peace in Ukraine. But on Friday night, in an interview with right-wing Fox News after his meeting with Putin, Trump said that his own ultimatums had been reneged on for now, because “this is not the time to be thinking” about new sanctions.
Trump’s Fox News interview also revealed how Putin managed to cajole and flatter Trump, winning him over to his side. Among other things, he told him that he was convinced Trump was the real winner of the 2020 election (won by Joe Biden) and that if he had been president, the war in Ukraine would never have begun.
Trump then ushered Putin into the US presidential limousine, and the two traveled together from the airport to the meeting. It’s a rare honor; leaders often travel separately. As he climbed into the car, Putin smiled.
The closed-door meeting lasted just over three hours, much less than the seven originally scheduled. The two then held a brief press conference in front of reporters, but did not take questions. On these occasions, it is usually the host country’s leader who speaks first and sets the tone. In this case, Trump allowed Putin to begin.
Putin said the two had reached some kind of consensus that “will pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” but Trump clarified that no agreement had been reached, even though the meeting was “very productive.” Trump hinted that progress had been made on some issues, but that others still needed to be resolved: “We agreed on many points, but there are still some remaining.”
Putin, however, continued to say that the war in Ukraine will only be resolved when “the root of the problem” is eliminated. In the past, the authoritarian Russian leader had repeatedly made it clear that for him, the “root of the problem” is Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
Perhaps most notable is the deference with which Trump continued to treat Putin. In recent months, Trump had appeared increasingly exasperated and nervous with Putin, who continued to thwart his every attempt at peace in Ukraine. In July, he said: “He’s always very kind, but in the end, this kindness means nothing.” After the in-person meeting, however, all the exasperation vanished: “I’ve always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir,” he said on Friday.
Another major achievement for Putin was managing to avert the risk of new American sanctions. Before arriving in Alaska in recent days, Trump had said there would be “very serious consequences” if Putin did not agree to a deal, but after the meeting he made it clear that these consequences will not arise for now.
In recent weeks, Trump had also issued ultimatums to Russia, threatening severe economic retaliation if it continued to obstruct peace in Ukraine. But on Friday night, in an interview with right-wing Fox News after his meeting with Putin, Trump said that his own ultimatums had been reneged on for now, because “this is not the time to be thinking” about new sanctions.
Trump’s Fox News interview also revealed how Putin managed to cajole and flatter Trump, winning him over to his side. Among other things, he told him that he was convinced Trump was the real winner of the 2020 election (won by Joe Biden) and that if he had been president, the war in Ukraine would never have begun.
Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky nor any European leader were present at the meeting. Speaking to Fox News , Trump said, “Now it’s up to Zelensky to close the deal. I’d also like to see the European nations involved a little.” He also spoke of a new meeting, also with Zelensky. It’s unclear at this time what he meant. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, Zelensky announced he would meet Trump in Washington.
https://www.ilpost.it/2025/08/16/alaska-trump-putin-incontro
I have yet to see one positive article in Western media for the way TACO handled the whole circus. If anyone can find one, please post it.
There was nothing positive. Trump once again fucks up
At least the US population by a majority including republicans want to strengthen and provide military equipment to Ukraine. Huge difference since February.
But, what good is what the people want when the orange dictator goes against everyone’s wishes to satisfy the wish of his favorite dick?
At best, some try to remain neutral or try to pick out bits of positiveness about this. By and large, taco has seen his biggest defeat ever in the eyes of the world.
His body language says he was owned bt putler. There never was any negoatiations or deals, just putler sending Witkoff back with orders to TACO. The most humiliating part of all this was getting US servicemen to get on their knees as this war criminal got off the plane. Every US citizen should be hammering the bastard on social media over this.
Not 5 minutes ago, I wrote to scradge that I simply can’t get that picture out of my mind with our soldiers on their knees as they unroll that fucking red carpet for that dirty war criminal. Taco has done a lot for me to hate his fucking guts, but this could be the worst thing. This image is symbolic to our deep, unfathomable humiliation that the orange felon and child abuser has brought to us.