"There is no real progress. The result is clear - 1:0 for Putin - nothing for the Ukrainians, and a deep disappointment for Europe. Putin received a red carpet from Trump, and Trump - nothing", wrote the former head of the Munich Security Conference Wolfgang Ischinger after the meeting in Alaska between Putin and Trump. What are the five most important conclusions from the meeting, Eberhard Nembach summarizes in his commentary for ARD.
Much ado about nothing
Trump himself raised the expectations associated with this historic and symbolic meeting, hinting that a ceasefire for Ukraine could be concluded. The whole world was glued to this staging that Trump offered to the American public in prime time television. His fans may have liked it, but the rest of the world expected more, but all they saw were pictures of handshakes, with no tangible result.
A celebration for Putin
In front of the whole world, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin. He brought back to the world stage the man against whom there is an international arrest warrant. It was a real celebration for the Russian president, who loves symbolism. Putin enjoyed his performance with a triumphant smile. This is exactly what he has wanted for years: to be among the greats again, to communicate on an equal footing with the most powerful man in the world - Donald Trump. Moreover, as far as is known, Putin has made practically no effort to achieve this goal.
Trump fell into Putin's trap
No truce, no "deal". There is no visible result that would justify all the symbolism. It is possible that there will be some results that are not visible yet. But for the moment, the impression remains that Trump has allowed himself to be misled by Putin: the Russian president showed some willingness to negotiate just when Trump and the Europeans wanted to impose new sanctions.
Former secret service agent Putin publicly exposed Trump, who proclaims himself a "deal specialist". And probably after this meeting no one will no longer propose Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize that he dreams of.
Disappointment in Ukraine
The drones and missiles will continue to fly, there is no truce, and that is bitter. Many in Ukraine probably had a hard time taking the footage from Alaska. The aggressor Putin with a joyful smile on stage next to Trump. Will Trump continue to support Ukraine or will he withdraw from this war to concentrate on the American government's problems, as he had hinted? Now the support that the Europeans will provide, not least in military terms, becomes even more important.
The Europeans are only spectators
The two major nuclear powers are talking about Europe, but the Europeans are on the outside and can only watch the meeting on TV. For the moment, there is no tangible result - that is the reality. When will there be a European peace initiative? Who can and wants to negotiate with Putin? That would certainly be a task for the major players on the European stage – Germany, France and the UK.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz will have to make a lot of phone calls. What sanctions can Europe impose to increase pressure on Moscow? As Trump says – there is no deal until it is done. This could mean that he believes in the possibility of achieving something together with the European NATO partners. The Europeans are now in the running.
Author: Eberhard Nembach ARD