Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach any ceasefire or peace deal to end the war in Ukraine raising concerns about how long the conflict will continue
High expectations were set ahead of the crunch Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with hopes the pair could thrash out a deal to end the war in Ukraine, although there were several things people would have missed.
The two leaders met in Alaska, a former Russian territory, on Friday amid hopes that steps would be secured to end the war in Ukraine. But the meeting ended with little meaningful progress toward a ceasefire or peace deal.
Putin showed no indication he would end the war or give up on his war goals to occupy parts of eastern Ukraine. But there were also some weird moments many might have missed during the meeting.
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Putin’s limp
Eyebrows were raised as despot Putin appeared unsteady and carrying a limp as he left his aircraft for the Alaska summit. He was forced to pause halfway down the stairs of his presidential plane before meeting Mr Trump.
The limp happened just moments before the crucial talks in Alaska. Rumours about Putin’s health have been circulating for years and his arrival in Anchorage would add fuel to the fire.
The 72-year-old appeared to wince as he walked along the red carpet to greet Mr rump. He eventually managed to exchange handshakes and pleasantries with the president of the US.
Soviet Union and chicken Kyiv trolling
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at the summit in Alaska wearing a sweatshirt with the letters CCCP on it, the Russian initials for the USSR, or Soviet Union. The move is a continuation of a trolling and aggressive tone from Russian officials following the war in Ukraine.
The editor-in-chief of Russian propaganda outlet RT, Margarita Simonyan, said the Russian press corps flying to Alaska have been served chicken Kyiv. The menu item went on to be seized by Russian propagandists, with commentator Sergei Markov stating Putin and Trump should “turn (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy into a chicken Kyiv.”
American soldiers on knees rolling out red carpet
American soldiers were seen on their knees rolling out the red carpet for Putin. The move was met with derision online with Democrats seizing on the moment.
The Press office for California Governor Gavin Newsom said: “Trump had our BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS ON THEIR KNEES to roll out the RED CARPET for his best friend VLAD! DISGUSTING.” Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern posted on X/Twitter: “Trump rolls out the red carpet for a war criminal. On American soil. The U.S. government should be arresting Putin, not hosting him. Shameful and embarrassing.”
Trump’s zig-zag red carpet walk
The US President’s walk along the red carpet raised questions on social media after he was seen drifting from one side to the other. In a viral post, X/Twitter user Brian Allen said: “Trump couldn’t even walk in a straight line to greet Putin; stumbling like a man who just met gravity for the first time. World stage, red carpet, and he’s out here looking like a malfunctioning Roomba.”
His comment was viewed more than 632,900 times on the social media account. While the video went viral, other clips showed Mr Trump walking in a straight line with little issue.
Putin and Trump cosy in back of ‘The Beast’
The leaders greeted one another on the red carpet before they entered the US President’s limousine, known as “the Beast.” Trump and Putin appeared all smiles as they chatted with one another as they got inside the vehicle.
Trump was seen clapping as Putin approached him and guided Putin into the limousine. Putin was seen smiling in the vehicle as the driver took them to the summit.