US President Donald Trump extended rare VIP treatment to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday during their historic summit in Anchorage, Alaska. The MAGA leader not only rolled out a red carpet but also offered Putin a ride in the presidential state limousine, The Beast.
While the meeting carried high stakes, with lives and survival hanging in the balance, both leaders appeared all smiles for the cameras, posing like old friends reuniting. However, the nearly three-hour-long discussions produced no positive outcome, once again leaving Ukrainians without hope. Many critics dismissed the summit as nothing more than a “photo-op.”
Ukrainian Disappointment
With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy excluded from the first crucial meeting, Putin entered with an upper hand, aiming to sway Trump in his favor. Officials in war-torn Ukraine were dismayed by the pompous welcome given to Putin, even as Russian attacks persisted during ceasefire negotiations.
The BBC reported that people in Kyiv, waiting for good news, were left “crushed” by Trump’s grand reception. “I understand you have to shake hands during negotiations, but this spectacle with the red carpet and kneeling soldiers is terrible,” said Serhii Orlyk, a 50-year-old veteran from Donetsk. Another Kyiv resident, Natalya Lypei, questioned, “How can you welcome a tyrant like that?” reminding that Putin remains wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Leaked Plans of Lavish Luncheon and Gift
Adding to the controversy, NPR revealed a leak showing Trump’s aborted plans for a lavish luncheon in Putin’s honor. An eight-page document, reportedly left behind in a hotel printer in Anchorage, detailed menu items, seating charts, and gift plans.
The menu featured filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce, halibut olympia with buttery whipped potatoes, roasted asparagus, a green salad with champagne vinaigrette, and crème brûlée. A seating chart placed Trump and Putin across from each other, joined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Other pages showed names of expected participants from both countries and even included pronunciation notes for aides on how to say Putin’s name (“POO-tihn”).
Reports further alleged Trump intended to present Putin with a bald eagle desk statue as a gift. However, both the luncheon and the gift plan were ultimately scrapped as the summit failed to deliver any breakthrough on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
