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President Donald Trump hosted Putin for a two-and-a-half hour meeting focused on discussing a potential ceasefire deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The meeting included a lavish red-carpet ceremony, a gift to Putin, and a shared ride in Trump’s armored limousine.
Senator Murphy criticized the outcome, saying that Putin “got everything he wanted,” including a photo opportunity and legitimization in front of the world. Trump told Fox News he would consider the meeting a failure if no ceasefire was secured. Despite this, Trump walked away without a deal or sanctions against Russia.
Murphy emphasized that Putin did not have to give up anything and that there were no serious discussions about a ceasefire. He noted that Secretary Marco Rubio downplayed potential sanctions, allowing Putin to walk away with zero commitments and consequences. Murphy concluded that “It was a failure. Putin got everything he wanted.”
Further talks are planned, with Putin inviting Trump to Moscow.
On Sunday, President Trump wrote on Truth Social: “It’s incredible how the Fake News violently distorts the TRUTH when it comes to me. There is NOTHING I can say or do that would lead them to write or report honestly about me. I had a great meeting in Alaska on Biden’s stupid War, a war that should have never happened!!!”
Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, criticized Trump for marveling at Putin’s statement that the 2020 election was rigged and that Trump really won. Schiff suggested Trump could be so gullible as to believe what he wants to hear.
Trump is expected to discuss plans for a trilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky during his visit to the White House on Monday, along with some European leaders.
