Ukraine summit: Trump rescues Putin from political isolation

It became clear that something wasn't going according to plan around 2 p.m. local time at the latest. Two hours earlier than expected, the American and Russian journalists at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska were suddenly ushered into the press conference room. US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin hadn't even yet met with their extended delegations for lunch to discuss economic issues.

The American television networks quickly switch to their correspondents in the hall: What happened? Will there even be a joint appearance between the two heads of government? The question is answered when two lecterns are set up in front of the blue wall bearing the large inscription "Pursuing Peace." But have the two powerful politicians achieved a breakthrough? Or will the Ukraine summit, which Trump has been eagerly awaiting while giving his European allies sleepless nights, remain without tangible results?

It takes another half hour before this question can be answered. Then, unusually, Putin speaks first. He flatters his "dear friend" Donald Trump, talks a lot about the Russian-American friendship, reaches far back into history, and from it derives his well-known explanation of the "situation in Ukraine." He only says not a word about possible concessions from his country, which started the war three years ago, or a possible ceasefire.

Then it's Trump's turn, and you can't help but wonder if this is really the man who usually holds the world in suspense with his self-confident appearances, complete with endless verbal tirades. The president seems tired and emotionless. No superlatives, no historic achievements, no Nobel Peace Prize. Instead, with an incredibly tight-lipped tone for his standards: "We're not quite there yet. But we've made progress. There's no deal until the deal is done." His speech lasted just three minutes. Questions weren't allowed. "Thank you, press!" the journalists were ushered out of the room. This may have been the shortest Trump appearance in history.

The day began quite differently. Early in the morning, Trump flew from Washington to Alaska – the state the US bought from Russia in 1867 for a mere seven million dollars. The ideal stage, then, for the self-proclaimed "dealmaker," who is desperate to win the Nobel Peace Prize and make lucrative deals with his friend Vladimir. "I want a ceasefire," the president told the journalists traveling with him on Air Force One. Confident of victory, he added: "I wouldn't be happy if it didn't happen today."

US President Donald Trump welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Source: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/dpa

On the ground, Trump does everything he can to court his guest. The contrast to the hostile reception he gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in February could not be greater: At the air base, Trump has a red carpet rolled out for the ostracized war criminal from Moscow. As Putin approaches him, Trump applauds enthusiastically. Then follows a handshake and pat on the upper arm like old buddies. US military jets roar through the air in honor of the guest.

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There was, however, a minor change to the program. The meeting was originally supposed to take place face-to-face. This had triggered massive fears in European capitals and in Kyiv that Trump, who was uninterested in details, could be outsmarted by the shrewd former KGB man Putin. Shortly before Putin's landing, it was now announced that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was critical of Russia in his former life, would also participate in the meeting.

The relief of his Ukraine partners doesn't last long: Trump promptly invites his guest into the presidential limousine on the tarmac. Putin speaks enough English for a conversation. This allows the two leaders to exchange views on the drive to the meeting venue for about 15 minutes without the aid of an interpreter or witnesses. Trump boasted last week that he knows Putin very well and knows how the negotiations will proceed within five minutes. Perhaps he already senses, sitting in the heavily armored "beast," that there will be a problem. For now, however, the public can only guess.

In any case, four hours later, Trump is left with pretty much nothing: no ceasefire, no deal—but also no sanctions, which the US President threatened Russia with just a few days ago if Putin wasn't prepared to end the war. Only vague incantations. Putin, on the other hand, can fly back to Moscow satisfied: his confident appearance on the world stage alone is a huge success for him.

In the end, it even seems as if the Kremlin chief has completely taken over the direction of Trump's theater. Both politicians announce that the talks will continue, without specifying a specific date. "Next time in Moscow," Putin calls out to the American in English. Trump is clearly unprepared for this: "Oh, that's interesting," he initially tries to evade. "I'd get into a bit of trouble for that." But then he adds: "It could possibly happen."