So, so sorry, Ukraine. But I can’t believe you were surprised.

[Note: The following comments are based on my own notes, taken as I watched the proceedings live. Apologies if I’ve missed anything.]

After the warm, brotherly greeting on the tarmac, and three hours spent behind closed doors, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump emerged before a large press gathering and offered . . .

Nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada. Nichevo.

Just as Putin had scored points simply by being invited to meet in the United States, and receiving a red-carpet welcome complete with everything but a big Russian bear-hug . . . so did he take center stage by speaking first, against diplomatic protocol, to the assembled press corps.

Occasionally referring to notes, he launched into a history lesson, reminding the world of the geographical closeness of the Russian east to the Alaskan west; of the cooperation between the two countries that defeated the Nazi regime in World War II; and the unfortunate deterioration of U.S.-Russian relations in recent years.

He recalled former President Biden’s failure to come to an agreement that (allegedly) would have prevented the conflict in Ukraine, and told the audience that Trump had said that, had he been president in 2022, there would have been no war in Ukraine . . . and “I can confirm that.”

And then he talked business: how the U.S. and Russia could cooperate, to their mutual benefit, in areas such as hi-tech and space exploration, etc., etc., blah, blah, blah.

But did he say anything about a ceasefire, or next steps to end the war? He did not. He did, however, refer — for the thousandth time — to the necessity of first dealing with what he calls the “root causes” of the conflict, and the issue of perceived threats to Russia’s security.

There was more talk of his and Trump’s close relationship and mutual understanding, and his belief that Trump sincerely wants peace and recognizes Russia’s security issues. According to Putin, the two have “built a trustworthy contact,” and will be able to end the conflict.

But he never said how.

It sounded as though his closing remarks had been written long before he arrived in Alaska . . . that he never had any intention of negotiating or conceding anything. This was another stall, but much more: it was a public relations triumph, and that was all he ever intended it to be.

*. *. *

And then it was Trump’s turn. In contrast to Putin’s smiling, lively demeanor, Trump appeared exhausted, depressed, defeated . . . and old. Very, very old.

He managed to spout some word salad about having agreed on “a couple of big ones,” but said there was more to be worked out.

Then — in what was probably the big sound bite of the day — he uttered this gem: “There is no deal until there is a deal.”

He could have stopped there.

But he tried to put a cheerful spin on the situation, saying they had made some great progress; that many points had been agreed upon, but not everything; that he had always had a fantastic relationship with Vladimir; and that, despite some difficult meetings in the past — which he blamed on “the Russia, Russia, Russia deal” — he was sure that they understood each other.

He next tried to acknowledge Putin’s team — most likely Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushkov — but seemed unable to remember their names and ended up gesturing to them instead.

As I said . . . looking very, very old, and very tired.

*. *. *

And then it was over. Trump said to Putin that they would speak again very soon, and also see each other again soon . . . to which Putin replied, in English, “Next time in Moscow.”

Trump seemed a bit startled, and laughingly said he would probably “get some heat for that,” but that he “can see it possibly happening.”

The press, of course, were ready with a barrage of questions; but it was not to be. The speakers hastily left the stage, and according to news reports, Putin headed directly to his plane . . . not even staying for lunch. Smiles or no smiles, that is never a good sign.

So what to make of it all, besides “much ado about nothing”?

Clearly, the winner of yesterday’s round was Vladimir Putin. Trump had said earlier that he would be very unhappy if the day passed without his having achieved at least a ceasefire, and that there would be dire consequences for Russia if that happened.

Well, it did happen. No ceasefire, no mention of a meeting to include Ukrainian President Zelensky . . . and no Nobel Peace Prize. At least, not yet.

There will, of course, be follow-up calls between Trump and Zelensky, as well as with European leaders. I would be surprised if we hear any further details until those calls have been held.

In the meantime, I have one more reason to be happy I am not a member of Trump’s team: I would not want to have been in his path when he let his wrath loose aboard Air Force One.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/16/25 – 12:15 a.m.