The Alaska summit between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin concluded after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with an unsurprising result: there was no agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, although both Trump and Putin claimed they had a productive meeting at a joint press conference. While acknowledging that the Alaska summit could carry some significance for a potential peace deal in Ukraine, the future of U.S.-Russia relations, and the geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China, without a doubt, the summit was not a win-win meeting. Instead, it was Putin’s public relations victory and Trump’s disappointment, as Trump wanted to see a ceasefire deal at the summit; otherwise, he would be unhappy. Consequently, Trump did not get there. By contrast, Putin received a warm welcome from Trump, who applauded several times as Putin walked the red carpet on American soil and rode in the presidential car.

Despite Putin’s international isolation and the outstanding war crimes warrant, the summit legitimized the Russian leader and provided him with an opportunity to solidify his territorial gains. Although the U.S. attempted to offset the optics by flying B-2 stealth bombers and F-35 jets overhead while Putin walked alongside Trump, the damage was done. While European leaders found the spectacle difficult to watch, Russian media applauded the diplomatic triumph for Moscow,  achieved without concessions on its part.

Putin’s intention to meet Trump on U.S. soil appears to have been a calculated maneuver designed to manipulate public perception rather than to pursue genuine peace. Under the pressure of Trump’s ultimatum, Putin did not want to break with Trump. By appearing cooperative, Putin provided Trump with a symbolic “ladder to step down” from his ultimatum and........

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