However, the observers considered the diplomatic return of Vladimir Putin to American soil – his first in a decade – as a symbolic victory for Moscow.
The talks of almost three hours, which Putin and Donald Trump described as “productive”, pointed out a potential thaw in the heavy American-Russian relationship despite the conclusion without a cease-fire agreement, they said.
Ukraine and Europe in particular absent from the discussions, Trump’s post-Sommal remarks on territorial exchanges and American security guarantees have triggered confusion to know if he had tacitly accepted Russia detention of the occupied territories in the middle of the prolonged war.
There was a joint press appearance after the meeting, but neither Trump nor Putin announced concrete results or details on what they agreed. They also did not respond to journalists.
Putin, who was the first to speak, described the United States and Russia as “close neighbors”. He said that he hoped that “the agreement we have reached together” would be seen “in a constructive manner” by kyiv and the European capitals and “they will not throw an in progress”.
