In a high-stakes meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. Since returning to the White House in January, Trump, now 79, has made ending the war in Ukraine a top priority. Despite proposing a minerals-based agreement, the talks yielded no progress, with Russian bombardments intensifying whenever peace was urged.
Tensions were evident even before formal discussions began. A striking moment occurred when Trump pulled Putin’s hand towards him during their initial handshake — a gesture that quickly went viral online. Supporters interpreted it as a deliberate show of dominance. Social media erupted with commentary, with one user exclaiming, “He pulled in Putin’s hand! I VOTED FOR THIS!!” Others suggested the move was a calculated power play.
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One prior to the meeting, Trump offered a bleak outlook on convincing Putin to halt attacks on Ukrainian civilians. “I’ve had that conversation with him,” Trump said, recounting scenes of destruction such as rockets hitting care homes and apartment blocks. He concluded, “So, I think the answer is no.”
Trump also warned of severe economic repercussions should Putin refuse to engage in meaningful negotiations. While he refrained from specifying the measures, he stressed their gravity: “Very severe consequences.” He dismissed any personal motives, stating, “I don’t do this for my health… I do it to save lives.”
The Anchorage summit underscored the complexity of the geopolitical standoff and the symbolic weight carried by even the smallest gestures. With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the path to peace remains fraught with uncertainty.
