– Anchorage, Alaska
AMN WEB DESK
In a rare and closely watched summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached a preliminary agreement on Arctic military de-escalation during their meeting in Anchorage on Friday.
The two leaders committed to reducing naval patrols in contested Arctic zones and opening a new joint communication channel to avoid accidental clashes in the region.The high-level summit, hosted at the Captain Cook Hotel under heavy security, marked the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin since Trump returned to office in 2025. Both sides described the outcome as a “step toward regional stability,” particularly as global tensions rise over Arctic resources and strategic access.“We have agreed that peace and cooperation in the Arctic is in the interest of both nations,” Trump said during a brief press conference.
“We’re putting American strength first, but we’re also avoiding unnecessary conflict.”Putin echoed the sentiment, calling the talks “productive” and emphasizing the need to prevent escalation between nuclear powers in sensitive regions.In addition to Arctic security, discussions touched on energy cooperation, Ukraine, and cybercrime. While no formal treaty was signed, joint statements suggest further negotiations will follow in Geneva next month.
The summit drew sharp criticism from both Democratic lawmakers and NATO allies, who were not briefed ahead of the meeting. Many expressed concern over Trump’s private discussion format, which excluded U.S. intelligence and diplomatic officials.Despite controversy, the Anchorage summit signals a potential thaw—however fragile—in U.S.-Russia military posturing in the Arctic, even as broader tensions persist elsewhere. Further details are expected as diplomatic channels reopen in the coming days.—
Trump-Putin Summit Ends in Symbolism, Not Solutions—Ukraine Remains on the Sidelines
AMN / Web Desk
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a highly anticipated summit Friday in Anchorage with grand ceremony but little substantive progress—particularly on the war in Ukraine, which continues to rage without signs of abatement.
While both leaders spoke warmly of “understandings” and “constructive dialogue,” the summit yielded no ceasefire agreement, no roadmap for peace, and no joint statement outlining shared goals. Trump hailed the talks as “a 10,” yet offered no details beyond plans to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and consult with NATO allies. Putin, meanwhile, emphasized Russia’s “security concerns” and framed the meeting as a diplomatic breakthrough—despite the absence of any binding commitments.
A Stage Without Substance
The summit was marked by elaborate displays of diplomacy: red carpets, military honors, and tightly managed photo opportunities. But beneath the pomp, critics argue, was a concerning vacuum of tangible policy progress.
“Putin walked away with legitimacy on the world stage,” said one European diplomat, “and Trump left without a plan.”
For Ukraine, the summit was seen as a diplomatic slight. Zelenskyy was not invited, and Ukrainian officials voiced frustration that their future was being debated in a room where their voice was missing. Ukrainian-American communities, particularly in cities like Chicago and New York, organized protests condemning the summit as “appeasement theater.”
Diverging Narratives
Trump remained characteristically upbeat, saying he “got along very well” with Putin and suggesting future progress would come “soon.” Yet he declined to specify what was discussed behind closed doors regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty or Russian troop withdrawal.
Putin painted a different picture, claiming the two had found “common ground” on the roots of the conflict, including NATO’s expansion and the need for a “new European security framework.” He also floated future Russian-American economic cooperation—a move seen by some analysts as a ploy to soften sanctions.
International Response: Skepticism and Caution
European leaders responded swiftly and coolly. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and pledged to include Zelenskyy in any serious negotiations going forward. A joint Macron-Zelenskyy meeting is now planned in Brussels later this week to strategize Ukraine’s diplomatic defense post-summit.
Ukrainian officials were blunt. “There can be no peace for Ukraine without Ukraine,” said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba