Great — here’s the enhanced front-page narrative with a sidebar analysis box like you’d find in The New York Times, Washington Post, or The Guardian:
By Douglas Jones
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Handshake without a breakthrough: Trump and Putin leave their high-stakes summit smiling, but Ukraine still waits for peace.
The much-anticipated summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Friday with no breakthrough on Ukraine, leaving the war-torn nation in limbo. Still, both men rekindled their personal bond, fueling speculation about Trump’s foreign policy posture should he return to the White House.
The three-hour meeting, held behind closed doors with top aides, concluded abruptly. In a highly unusual move, Trump — normally eager for press confrontations — declined to take questions.
“We’re not there yet, but we’ve made progress. There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump said afterward, calling the talks “extremely productive” while admitting that one “most significant” issue remained unresolved.
Putin echoed his remarks, saying, “We hope that the understanding we have reached will pave the way for peace in Ukraine.” With a rare flash of humor, the Russian leader added in English: “Next time in Moscow,” prompting a grin from Trump.
In a striking exchange, Putin flattered Trump by agreeing that the war would not have started had Trump been in power instead of Joe Biden. Trump responded by once again dismissing U.S. intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help him, calling the conclusion a “hoax.”
Global Reactions
Kyiv expressed disappointment: “The absence of a concrete outcome is troubling. Every day without a deal costs lives,” a Ukrainian diplomat said.
Washington stressed Ukraine’s sovereignty remains “non-negotiable,” with officials cautioning against Trump’s overtures to Putin.
NATO in Brussels warned the meeting may have been “productive for personal relations, but not for European security.”
What This Means for Biden, NATO, and Ukraine
For President Biden: The summit could complicate his re-election campaign, reinforcing Trump’s claim that he could end the war quickly. Biden’s challenge will be to project strength while defending continued U.S. military support for Ukraine.
For NATO: European allies fear Trump’s warmth toward Putin could fracture transatlantic unity. Some diplomats worry about a “soft peace” that favors Moscow at the expense of Kyiv.
For Ukraine: The lack of progress underscores Kyiv’s precarious position. While Western support remains, uncertainty over U.S. politics could embolden Russia to prolong the conflict, betting on a potential Trump comeback.
The Trump-Putin summit, heavy on symbolism but light on substance, underscored how the war in Ukraine is now entangled in global politics — and U.S. electoral battles.
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International