Two days before the highly anticipated Alaska Summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump had issued a strong warning that Moscow would face “severe consequences” if it refused to move forward on peace in Ukraine. Yet, when the two leaders finally met for nearly three hours in Alaska, the outcome was markedly different from those threats. Putin emerged from the meeting appearing stronger and more in control of the situation, while Trump refrained from pressing him on the urgent matter of a Ukraine ceasefire. Instead, Putin used the stage to dominate both the optics and the narrative, winning symbolic victories such as a red-carpet welcome, hinting at new business ventures, and presenting himself as a confident, indispensable global leader.
During the joint press conference following the summit, Putin asserted his authority from the very start. Breaking away from usual diplomatic practice, he opened the briefing, spoke first, and ultimately controlled almost seventy percent of the total speaking time, delivering remarks for about eight and a half minutes. Trump, on the other hand, remained largely silent throughout and later described Putin’s words as “profound,” which only further reinforced the Russian leader’s dominance. The unusual structure of the press event showed how Putin had skillfully taken control of the narrative, relegating Trump to a passive role in what was meant to be an equal dialogue.
The symbolism of the Alaska Summit itself carried a historical undertone. The event was staged on territory once ruled by Russian Tsars and sold to the United States in 1867, a deal that has long been remembered as one of Russia’s lost opportunities. For Putin, who is fascinated with both Tsarist and Soviet legacies, this backdrop could have been awkward. Yet he transformed it into an advantage, greeting Trump upon landing with the words, “Hello neighbour,” and framing the encounter as a return to Russia’s rightful place in the global order rather than a humiliation. The choice of location added a theatrical layer to Putin’s confident performance.
A rare and notable moment occurred after the press briefing when Putin unexpectedly switched to English, addressing Trump directly with the phrase, “Next time in Moscow.” This was in response to Trump’s comment that the two would be speaking again soon, and it signaled Putin’s ability to seize even small gestures for maximum diplomatic effect. The Kremlin had reportedly anticipated a six-to-seven-hour marathon discussion, but instead the summit ended after three hours, underscoring Putin’s efficiency in extracting symbolic victories without lengthy negotiations.
From the start, Putin carried himself with visible confidence. His arrival was carefully staged, as he strode along a red carpet flanked by American F-22 fighter jets, while Trump clapped in acknowledgment. Their handshake was cordial, and Putin smiled throughout, signaling ease and control. In an unexpected twist, Putin even chose to ride with Trump in the same car en route to the summit venue, despite having his own vehicle prepared. Cameras captured both leaders laughing in the backseat, a moment that played well in Russian media and showcased Putin as an equal partner welcomed by the US president.
At both the airbase and the summit venue in Anchorage, Putin made uncharacteristically exaggerated facial expressions, further reinforcing his relaxed demeanor. He appeared confident, comfortable, and in command, using body language and performance to send the message that he was not isolated but instead respected and embraced on the world stage. These carefully choreographed theatrics helped him project strength and legitimacy in ways that went beyond the substance of the talks.
The red-carpet welcome itself was a major victory for Putin. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been treated as a pariah by the West, isolated diplomatically and economically. Yet in Alaska, Putin was ceremonially received by Trump as a world leader of importance. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the US president allowed Putin to project himself as indispensable to international diplomacy, reshaping his image at a time when Western powers had sought to marginalize him.
Even more striking was Trump’s failure to directly raise the issue of a ceasefire in Ukraine, despite it being the official centerpiece of the summit’s agenda. Instead, Trump vaguely commented that “some headway” had been made and promised to brief NATO and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy afterward. He further suggested that “it is ultimately up to them,” hinting at a potential land-swap deal. The omission of any firm stance on a ceasefire gave Putin breathing room, even as Russia continued military aggression, launching drones and missiles into Ukraine during the very hours of the summit.
For Trump, the meeting produced no clear victories. Beforehand, he had suggested that the summit would either succeed or he would “head back,” but during the talks, he softened his approach. Rather than pressing Putin hard, Trump openly entertained the idea of a future meeting in Moscow, saying he could see it happening. The central objective of “pursuing peace” was left unmet, and instead, Russia was able to escalate its war efforts while still benefiting from favorable optics in Alaska.
Instead of focusing solely on peace, the conversation shifted toward the possibility of future economic ventures. Putin emphasized that there was “tremendous potential” for US-Russian cooperation in sectors such as trade, digital technologies, high-tech industries, and space exploration. He highlighted Arctic projects as another area of opportunity. Trump echoed these points, celebrating the presence of Russian business representatives and boasting that “everybody wants to deal with us.” He even dismissed past controversies such as the so-called “Russian hoax,” implying that cooperation could move forward more smoothly in the future.
Ultimately, the summit, which had been promoted as a peace-building effort, turned into a platform for Russia to advance its own agenda. Putin managed to push for Arctic cooperation and resource-sharing, potentially sidelining Europe and deepening divisions within the Western alliance. For Russia, this was a strategic gain. For Trump, however, it left little more than vague promises of future business, with no substantive progress on Ukraine.
Trump later declared the meeting to be a “10 out of 10,” but the assessment seemed misplaced. It was Putin who clearly emerged as the winner, walking away with symbolic and strategic gains, while Trump left without securing any breakthroughs on the central issue of the Ukraine war. Russia, only weeks earlier facing the threat of harsher sanctions, now had a stage to showcase its leader as respected and indispensable. The summit that was supposed to deliver peace ended instead with Moscow gaining propaganda material and Washington gaining only rhetoric. For Putin, the Alaska Summit was not just a meeting — it was a public relations triumph.
