Vladimir Putin achieved strategic victory at Alaska peace talks without making any concessions, a top European Union diplomat has warned. Kaja Kallas, the EU's senior foreign affairs official, said Putin "got everything he wanted" as hopes for a breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict fade.
The Russian President secured diplomatic legitimacy and sanctions relief discussions while maintaining his war aims. Putin has been seen laughing in recent media appearances and appears determined to continue the three-year occupation of Ukraine.
Summit delivers Putin gains
The Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Putin failed to produce meaningful peace progress, with subsequent meetings cancelled. Initial optimism following Monday's White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has evaporated across European capitals.
Kallas said Putin "got such a welcoming" in Alaska and "wanted sanctions not to be put in place, which he also achieved." She added: "Putin got everything he wanted. He is just laughing, not stopping the killing but increasing the killing."
Trump shifts Ukraine stance
Trump has reversed his position on a ceasefire, moving from supporting Ukraine's call for an immediate halt to adopting Russia's stance against such a move. The US President has set Putin another two-week deadline to agree to peace talks, after which America "may have to take a different tack."
Russian officials have denied Trump's claims about security guarantees for Ukraine and reasserted that Ukraine must withdraw from eastern provinces. Russia continues its bombardment of Ukrainian cities despite ongoing peace efforts.
Intelligence sharing restricted
The Daily Mail reports that US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ordered American agencies to limit intelligence distribution to Five Eyes allies including the UK. Her directive of July 20th classified all information regarding Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations as 'NOFORN', meaning no foreign dissemination.
The ban has driven a wedge between Western partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Gabbard has previously faced criticism over her stance on the conflict and remarks suggesting sympathy with Russia.
European allies concerned
Finnish President backed Kallas' assessment, saying Putin was "rarely to be trusted" and casting doubt over reported peace talks. French President Emmanuel Macron described Putin as a "predator" and "an ogre at our doorstep."
Officials in London are convinced Russia has no intentions of ending the war. Confidence has also evaporated that Trump will put sustained pressure on Putin to reach a settlement.
Sources used: "Daily Mail", "The i", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
