In a high-profile meeting in Alaska this week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up talks that experts say were heavy on symbolism but light on concrete outcomes for Ukraine.
At their joint press conference, Trump called the discussions 'productive,' noting 'many points we agreed on,' but acknowledging that 'there's no deal until there's a deal.' Putin praised a 'constructive atmosphere of mutual respect,' stressing the need to tackle the 'root causes' of the Ukraine crisis alongside security guarantees for Kyiv.
According to Cui Zheng, director of the Research Center for Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asian Countries at Liaoning University, the summit served as 'a platform for external messaging and internal consensus-building, with symbolic weight outweighing practical outcomes.' He highlighted that Russia's strategic goals in its special military operation remain unchanged, and that core issues show 'no prospect of resolution' unless major concessions are made by either side.
Echoing this view, Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department for American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, warned that 'the resolution of the conflict, the trajectory of U.S.–Russia relations, and the rebuilding of Europe's security order all remain highly uncertain, with future developments likely to bring more volatility.'
Despite the lack of breakthrough on Ukraine, analysts note that the Alaska summit allowed both powers to dial down the diplomatic brinkmanship. Su said it offered 'a dignified exit' for Washington from its threats of sanctions, while giving Moscow a chance to push back against Western pressure.
Since Trump resumed the presidency, the two leaders have held five phone calls in 2025 alone, signaling an improvement in U.S.–Russia ties but also underscoring that structural contradictions persist beneath the thaw.
Looking ahead, Trump floated the idea of a trilateral meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—an idea that faces stiff opposition in Kyiv and Europe, especially given proposals for territorial exchanges. With tensions still running high, a direct Putin–Zelenskyy dialogue seems distant, underlining that the path to peace remains long and uncertain.
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Experts: U.S.-Russia Alaska talks symbolic, Ukraine crisis unresolved
cgtn.com
