“This is disgusting”: Ukraine criticizes Putin’s “warm welcome” at Alaska summit
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Ukraine has reacted with indignation to Donald Trump’s warm meeting with Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska. The red carpet, the guard of honor, the shared laughter, and the American limousine — all of this, according to Ukrainian politicians and military personnel, was a humiliation for the victims of Russian aggression and a shame for the United States.
This is reported by the Financial Times .
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warm reception in the United States, hosted by Donald Trump, has sparked a sharp reaction in Kyiv. Against the backdrop of a full-scale war and an International Criminal Court warrant for Putin’s arrest, footage from Alaska showing US military personnel rolling out the red carpet for the Russian dictator has been called “shameful” and “humiliating” in Ukraine.
A senior Ukrainian official on Kyiv television called the scene where Trump laughs next to Putin “disgusting.”
Ukrainian military officer Oleksandr Solonko said he “feels very sorry for the American military who were forced to roll out the red carpet for Putin,” adding: “This is a humiliation that I would not wish on any US soldier.”
Separately, a photo of American soldiers kneeling near the gangway leading to Putin’s plane was discussed on social media. Former head of the State Agency for Infrastructure Reconstruction and Development of Ukraine, Mustafa Nayem, captioned it with the words: “Make kneeling great again.”
As is known, the meeting between Putin and Trump took place at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Putin calmly walked down the red carpet to applause from Trump and a salute from an honor guard. During the ceremony, F-22 fighter jets and a B-2 bomber flew over the base.
Although a Russian car was already prepared for Putin, he chose to sit in the American presidential limousine next to Trump. The two leaders smiled and joked as they left the base together.
The event sparked triumphant comments in Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on social media: “Western media is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. They have been convincing everyone for three years that Russia is isolated, and today they saw a magnificent red carpet in the USA.”
According to sources close to Volodymyr Zelensky, the atmosphere in the presidential office late Friday night was “tense.” The Ukrainian leadership fears it could be sidelined from key talks about the country’s future.
In a phone call with Trump and European leaders, Zelensky clearly outlined Ukraine’s position: he demanded an unconditional ceasefire, the release of prisoners of war and civilians, and the return of Ukrainian children taken away by Russia. Kyiv also hopes for security guarantees from the United States after the summit.
At the same time, according to Ukrainian officials, confidence in Trump’s intentions remains low: “He says he wants peace, but he is not ready to take the necessary steps to achieve it.”
By the way, Russian President Vladimir Putin, after talks with Donald Trump in Alaska, said that a solution to the war in Ukraine is possible only after eliminating its “fundamental causes” and restoring the balance of security in Europe. He called the meeting “mutually respectful” and invited the American leader to the next summit in Moscow.
It is worth adding that US President Donald Trump, after talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, said that the summit was constructive and gave reason for optimism . He announced consultations with NATO and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but stressed that there are no final agreements yet.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a press conference after meeting for high-stakes talks in Alaska. Pryamy has compiled all the key statements from the US and Russian leaders for you.
It is worth adding that during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, on August 15-16, the broadcast of “Pryamoy” will continue around the clock .
Recall, on the evening of August 15 , the planes of US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin landed in Alaska. Earlier, the White House announced that the format of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and the Russian dictator had changed somewhat .
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