“The world behaves irrationally”

Ukrainians went to bed on Friday night with the terrible opportunity that Donald Trump could be seduced by Vladimir Putin, offering significant concessions to war.

They woke up on Saturday morning to find out that the Trump-Purven summit in Alaska instead broke out without any strategic and political agreements. It was a rare example of a failed summit that came as a relief.

In the absence of any real events, attention in Ukraine turned to the presentation aspects of the summit – “Optics”, in a political conversation.

Putin, a man responsible for the destructive war against Ukraine, received the warmest welcome to Alaska. American soldiers kneel to literally roll out a red carpet for him. Trump applauded him as he approached and offered a friendly handshake. Both leaders were driving together in Trump’s presidential limo, and Putin could be seen when the car was distracted.

For the Russian president, which has been avoided internationally since its full -scale invasion of Ukraine, a greeting, which noted the beginning of a wonderful return to the global diplomatic stage and set a tone that will continue throughout the day.

In Ukraine, this was not a desired spectacle.

“Red carpets and this level of the ceremony are normal at international events, but in this case – for the aggressor responsible for the death of millions – it should not happen,” said Maria Drachova, 40, a lawyer in the Kiev capital.

Drachova, who woke up and watched the footage for breakfast, said it looked as if “the whole event was put to please Putin.”

“The rational world behaves irrationally, giving it this reception,” she said.

Putin’s aircraft was accompanied by four American fighters in Alaska, and when he played on the red carpet, talking to Trump, the US B-2 bomber flew over his head, which flew by four more planes.

Ukrainians who remained late to observe how the spectacle saw “legitimization of a war criminal at the highest level,” said Oleksandr Kovalenko, Ukrainian writer and political analyst.

“There was no need for this pomp’s,” Kovalenko said. “This meeting, which was to be held in a much more restrained way – minimalistic, without such a level of respect.”

After greeting Trump and Putin sat in front of April journalists on the basis of the Air Force Elmendorf, under the banner, which read “Peace”. The question was: “Do you stop killing civilians?”

The Russian leader appeared to be smirked and pointed to his ear to assume he could not hear.

Along with smiles, laughter and general good will at the exhibition, the gesture struck a very kiosk note in Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands were killed and injured in the Russian war.

“When I saw what happened, I felt crushed,” said 50 -year -old Sergia Orlik from the Eastern Donetsk province, which was heavily confiscated by Russian forces and saw some of the most intense war fighting.

“I lost the house twice, in Slavian and in Donetsk. I lost my relatives,” Orlik said. “I understand that to negotiate something, there should be a protocol, you can’t just clap Putin in the face when he arrives. But it was a very unpleasant spectacle – especially his smiles.”

Respect for Putin continued after the negotiations. In a joint statement, Trump gave way to Russian to speak first. He talked about eight minutes, gently avoiding mentioning the war – with a bright and unlawful acts of Russia.

Putin looked vigorous, satisfied with how the summit was held. On the contrary, Trump looked uncharacteristic and talked a little two minutes. He could not boast of something that approaches the transaction – the currency with which he seeks to act.

Instead, he conveyed to Putin’s initiative, said Cer Jels, a senior employee of the Russian and Eurasia program at the Chatem House.

“It was a massive victory for Putin before he left the plane to rehabilitate this way,” Jails said. “Trump promoted him to be greeted as the head of state if he needed to travel because he is a world -reluctant criminal.”

Jails said Trump’s approach is unlikely to inspire European leaders to follow the example. “If anything, it will reinforce how important it is not to approve Putin’s demands for Ukraine, and not expose himself the same species that earns Trump.”

In a statement on Saturday, President Zelensky emphasized the importance of European leaders who are present at each stage of the negotiations. They are often regarded as a bun against Trump’s capacity, which is overwhelmingly influenced by Putin.

But before it happens, Zelensky will return to Monday to Washington, the stage of his catastrophic collision with Trump in February. This time it will rely on the best result, and the path to peace that does not provide for the transfer of Russia’s aggressive demands.

The US has a “wide range of instruments” to help Ukraine in this mission, said Alexander Kovalenko, a political analyst. But Putpe and the Putin’s president should not be among them, he said.

“Perhaps all this was intended to cheat on the flattering Putin and push him to the next White House strategy,” Kovalenko said.

“But I doubt it. More likely, it’s Trump’s whim without any strategy.”

Additional report Darius Mitiuk