Ukraine Left Out in Cold as Trump Basks in Warm Glow of Camera Flashes

ANCHORAGE — The highly publicized Trump-Putin summit produced no ceasefire, no peace deal, and no tangible progress for Ukraine—but it did produce hours of flattering footage of Donald Trump striding, smiling, and warmly greeting Vladimir Putin like an old friend.

“I think we made incredible progress,” the president said, referring not to U.S. foreign policy, but to his own camera presence. “Everyone’s talking about this summit—which means they’re talking about me. That’s what peace is all about.”

While Vladimir Putin left the meeting with fresh global legitimacy and more time to grind down Ukraine’s defenses, Trump left with a treasure trove of B-roll, including multiple angles of him clapping for Putin on a red carpet.

Asked about the lack of results for Ukraine, Trump said, “Look, it’s not my war. My job is to be the face of peace—even if peace doesn’t happen.”

Ukrainian officials, watching from afar, described the event as “deeply unserious,” noting that the only thing negotiated was the positioning of photographers. By the summit’s end, Putin had secured his PR victory, Ukraine had nothing, and Trump had exactly what he came for: the warm, unblinking love of the cameras.