Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on August 15 for the first time in over six years. They greeted each other with a handshake at Elmendorf-Richardson military base, where talks focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine. A red carpet was laid out for Putin, who faces accusations of war crimes.

The summit was described as “productive” by both leaders, though no ceasefire deal was announced. Trump said, “We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there,” while Putin praised the meeting as “friendly” and noted Trump’s “understanding that Russia has its own national interests.”

The visit sparked outrage after American soldiers were seen kneeling at the staircase for Putin’s arrival. Social media users blasted the moment as “humiliating” and “degrading.” One comment read: “Having our soldiers kneel for Putin is so f**king f**ked.”

Despite Trump’s optimism about “great progress,” the absence of a ceasefire agreement left critics skeptical. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump at the White House on August 18, joined by European leaders including Ursula von der Leyen.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that “both sides will have to make concessions” for peace to move forward.