The world watched as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska last weekend, a summit billed as a turning point for peace. Trump entered promising an offer “too good to refuse” and warning of “very severe consequences” if terms failed. Yet the meeting ended without a ceasefire, underscoring the difficulty of progress. Still, Trump claimed “great progress” was made behind closed doors.

Putin stood firm, demanding large swaths of Ukrainian territory—even beyond areas Russia controls. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy swiftly rejected those terms, maintaining that sovereignty is non-negotiable. The gulf between Moscow and Kyiv remains vast.

A leaked video from Russian media further shaped perceptions. It showed Trump smiling beside an amused Putin. Critics called it propaganda and accused Trump of “fawning,” while others saw it as evidence of Putin’s dominance on the world stage.

In Washington, Congressman Eric Swalwell denounced the summit as “humiliation” and warned that it played into Russia’s hands. European commentators echoed concerns, suggesting the meeting weakened transatlantic unity and emboldened Putin further.

Not all analysis was negative. Some argued the optics could backfire on Putin. Joe Hildebrand suggested Trump might now lean toward stronger support for Ukraine. Dalibor Rohac urged a “maximum pressure” strategy, warning negotiations risk rewarding aggression.

One potential breakthrough did emerge. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff revealed Putin agreed in principle to consider NATO-style “Article 5” security guarantees for Ukraine. Though vague, the proposal could bolster Kyiv’s defenses if realized.

Meanwhile, European leaders, including Macron, Merz, and Starmer, prepare to join Zelenskyy in Washington. Their shared stance is clear: no peace deal can come at the cost of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

As Trump meets Zelenskyy today, the Alaska summit casts a long shadow. Its real legacy may lie in symbolism: Putin emboldened, Trump softened, and global stability still fragile.