The much-hyped U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska ended with handshakes, not solutions, as experts call the meeting a “symbolic” step that failed to resolve the Ukraine crisis. While Presidents Trump and Putin praised the talks as “productive,” analysts warn the conflict remains a geopolitical maze with no easy exits. 🕵️♂️
Trump claimed “headway” was made, but Putin doubled down on addressing the conflict’s “root causes”—a nod to Russia’s unchanged goals in Ukraine. Cui Zheng, a Liaoning University expert, told CGTN: “The summit’s symbolic weight outweighed practical outcomes. Core issues like Russia’s demands vs. Western red lines? Still worlds apart.” 🌐
Why Ukraine Remains Stuck 🔒
Cui compared Trump’s focus on “political gains” to Putin’s long-game strategy, noting: “Unless Europe shifts stance or someone caves, this war won’t end.” Trump later floated a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting (with himself as guest star 🎤), but experts say Kyiv won’t accept land concessions, and Moscow still questions Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.
Diplomatic Theater or New Chapter? 🎭
Despite no Ukraine deal, the summit broke a U.S.-Russia communication freeze. Su Xiaohui of the China Institute of International Studies called it a “dignified exit” for Washington and a pressure-relief valve for Moscow. Putin hinted at future tech and space collabs 🚀, but Cui warned: “Structural U.S.-Russia tensions? Still lurking.”
With Europe fuming over the Alaska talks and Kyiv’s ceasefire hopes dashed, one thing’s clear: This geopolitical drama is far from its season finale. 🍿
