Stalemate in Anchorage: Trump and Putin Fail to Secure Ceasefire in Ukraine**

The Alaska summit concluded with no agreements between Trump and Putin, leaving Ukraine in a precarious position. Questions linger about Trump's potential actions while Ukraine expresses both relief and concern over the ongoing conflict.**

In a significant diplomatic encounter, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their summit in Anchorage without achieving a ceasefire agreement regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. After nearly three hours of discussions, the two leaders emerged to deliver a joint statement, yet declined to take questions from the assembled media.

Trump, highlighting that "there's no deal until there's a deal," effectively acknowledged the lack of tangible progress. His suggestions of having made "great progress" were vague and left many wondering what was genuinely achieved. Observers noted that while there was a sense of relief that Trump did not concede to any unilateral agreements that might undermine Ukraine's position, it still marked a setback for Trump’s self-proclaimed status as a peacemaker.

The backdrop of this summit was significant; Trump attempted to project a strong negotiating stance but left with questions regarding his credibility, especially after previously stating the chance of failure was low. The lack of a future follow-up summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compounds these concerns.

Putin's performance at the summit was equally noteworthy. The Russian leader started off a joint press appearance with extensive remarks before Trump, marking a stark contrast to the usual dynamics where the US leader typically takes the lead. This could be viewed as a moment of geopolitical triumph for Putin, emphasizing the rift between the two leaders over Ukraine.

For Ukraine, the outcome of the meeting elicited mixed reactions. While Kyiv may breathe a sigh of relief that no concessions were made regarding territorial integrity, there exists an underlying apprehension about Russia's intentions. Putin's remarks regarding the "root causes" of the conflict suggest an unwavering commitment to the objectives of his military operations, intensifying fears about ongoing violence as the absence of strict actions from the West remains a persistent issue.

The aftermath of the Alaska summit leaves many unanswered questions. As Trump hinted at potentially new sanctions against Russia without providing specifics, the uncertainty about Russia's actions looms large. Ukraine remains on edge, aware that previous diplomatic efforts have often fallen short, feeling increasingly vulnerable as international deadlines drift by without enforcement.

Despite the global attention on the summit, the lack of a breakthrough leaves a lingering sense of instability, not only for the dynamics between the US and Russia but critically for the future of Ukraine amidst continued aggression.