ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The August 15, 2025, summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska ended without a Ukraine ceasefire, drawing sharp criticism from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who labeled it a “disaster” and a “national embarrassment.” Speaking on NBC News, Murphy argued that Putin “got everything he wanted,” including a global stage to deflect his war crimes, while offering no concessions on Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, according to Benzinga.
The two and a half hour meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson aimed to secure a ceasefire but yielded no agreement. Murphy, a vocal critic, emphasized the diplomatic misstep: “Putin got to stand next to the President of the United States, legitimized in the view of the world.” He called the summit a win for Putin, who faced no immediate sanctions or commitments to halt hostilities, including the deliberate targeting of civilians and child abductions. Posts on X echoed Murphy’s outrage, with some users noting the meeting gave Putin a “photo op” without accountability.
Trump, however, described the talks as a step toward further negotiations, proposing a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “All I want to do is set the table for the next meeting,” Trump told reporters, per Benzinga. Yet, Murphy warned that without swift U.S. actions like new sanctions or military aid to Ukraine Trump risks enabling Russia’s aggression. “If this passes with no deal, no tough sanctions, and no new support for Ukraine, Trump has made this his war,” Murphy stated.
As Zelenskyy prepares for a Monday meeting with Trump and European leaders in Washington, the summit’s failure underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. diplomacy. The international community now watches closely for signs of escalation or renewed efforts toward peace.
Source: Benzinga
