World leaders hailed President Trump’s push for a diplomatic breakthrough in the deadly war in Ukraine, calling his sitdown with Vladimir Putin a “glimmer of hope” on Saturday — a jarring distinction to the triumphant temper in Moscow at now not being seen as a worldwide pariah.
“President Trump’s efforts have introduced us nearer than ever earlier than to ending Russia’s unlawful battle in Ukraine,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. “His management in pursuit of an finish to the killing ought to be counseled.”
The reactions got here after Trump debriefed European leaders, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, about his summit with Putin throughout a Saturday morning cellphone name.
“Whereas progress has been made, the following step have to be additional talks involving President Zelensky,” Starmer added.
Leaders expressed reduction that no land was negotiated with out Ukrainian leaders current, after Trump final week had hinted that discussions could include “some swapping of territories.”
“There have been no territorial negotiations between Putin and Trump over the heads of Ukraine and the Europeans, stated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a video address. “That’s excellent news.”
“A glimmer of hope has lastly opened to debate peace in Ukraine,” rejoiced Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
European leaders burdened their want to see unwavering security guarantees for Ukraine as a part of a deal, together with doable NATO and EU membership.
“I welcome, on this regard, the readiness of the US to contribute,” French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X Saturday.
“It is going to even be important to attract all the teachings from the previous 30 years, specifically from Russia’s well-established tendency to not honor its personal commitments,” he added.
Others, nonetheless had been way more skeptical of Moscow’s intentions.
“The outcomes of the Alaska summit verify that whereas the US and its allies are looking for paths to peace, Putin remains to be solely within the biggest doable territorial positive factors and the restoration of the Soviet empire,” stated Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
“Right this moment, it’s even clearer that Russia respects solely the robust, and Putin has as soon as once more confirmed to be a crafty and ruthless participant,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X.
In Russia, the summit was seen as a transparent win — the purple carpet was even rolled out for Putin.
The Russian strongman left the world stage dealing with no rapid sanctions regardless of not agreeing to requires a protracted sought-after cease-fire.
“The President of Russia personally and intimately outlined to the President of the US our situations for ending the battle in Ukraine,” Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Safety Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
“Following an almost three-hour dialog, the top of the White Home refused to escalate stress on Russia.”
The assembly, the place Putin obtained the red-carpet therapy, additionally signaled the top to Moscow’s diplomatic isolation, a standing the Kremlin had confronted since starting its battle on Ukraine in 2022.
In March 2023, the Russian strongman was convicted of battle crimes by the Worldwide Legal Courtroom and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
“Western media are in a state that may be referred to as madness, bordering on full insanity,” wrote the overseas ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, on Telegram.
“For 3 years, they’ve been speaking about Russia’s isolation, and right this moment they noticed the purple carpet that greeted the Russian President in the US.”
