Trump’s Alaska Summit with Putin Yields Victory for Russia, Alarms European Allies Over Ukraine’s Future

European leaders are expressing concern following the conclusion of the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Teri Schultz reports from Brussels.

Teri Schultz (BYLINE): European leaders are relieved that the summit did not pressure Putin to end his war on Ukraine, nor did it secure American backing for Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. Jessica Berlin, analyst at the Center for European Policy Analysis, notes this is hardly a cause for celebration.

Jessica Berlin (CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS): The fact that Ukraine’s allies view it as a victory that Trump did not concede Ukrainian territory in a bilateral meeting with Putin indicates just how low the bar is set. This summit was a victory for Putin through and through.

After the meeting, Trump phoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, several European leaders, and NATO’s secretary general. In a statement, these European leaders welcomed Trump’s efforts to end the violence in Ukraine, halt Russia’s aggression, and achieve a just and lasting peace. Last week, they had convinced Trump of the necessity of a ceasefire and released a statement calling for meaningful negotiations only within the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

However, Trump now supports a full peace agreement instead of a ceasefire first, according to Jan Balliauw from the Egmont Institute, a Belgian think tank. This continuation of fighting could give Russia more leverage in negotiations.

Jan Balliauw: Up until now, it was the priority of Europeans and Ukrainians to first have a ceasefire, then peace negotiations. And apparently, Trump agreed with this after talks he had with the Europeans and Zelenskyy on Wednesday. Now, it seems he’s shifted to the Russian logic – first negotiations, then an end to the fighting.

However, it may not just be Trump who has changed his mind. This statement from several European leaders after their call with Trump differs from last week’s – it does not mention a ceasefire at all. Countries along Russia’s front line have noted this shift. Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Estonian Parliament, states Putin should not have been granted a photo opportunity on U.S. soil without the intention of pursuing peace.

Marko Mihkelson: Putin’s goal was likely to come to America and be treated with a red carpet. And we saw how he, as a wanted war criminal, murderer, and leader still carrying out Russia’s war against Ukraine and the West, was legitimized.

This development is uncomfortable for countries that rely on the U.S. as their ultimate security backstop. Likewise, Mihkelson noted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appearing in a T-shirt reading “U.S.S.R.”, to which Estonia was forcibly annexed in 1940.

Mihkelson: This is significant if you understand Russians. This is the signal that we are here to define the future.

Mihkelson states he did not get the signal from the summit that the U.S. is ready to put more pressure on Putin. But he looks forward to next week’s meetings with Trump, Zelenskyy, and likely some European leaders for further clarification. For NPR News, I’m Teri Schultz in Brussels.