U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Aug. 15 to discuss an end to the Russian–Ukrainian conflict, and lawmakers’ reactions are largely falling along party lines.
The summit ended without any firm commitments to ending the conflict, with Trump commenting during a joint press conference, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
Putin announced that the two nations had nevertheless come to a broad agreement on several issues, including the security of Ukraine.
“I like to hope that the agreement we have reached will bring us closer to that goal and pave the path toward peace in Europe,” he said.
Putin also indicated that discussions were ongoing to “bring back business relations between Russia and the U.S.,” relations that have been heavily restricted due to sanctions.
Reactions to the summit have broken down along party lines, as Republicans express a mix of approval and “cautious optimism” about the outcome, while Democrats criticize it, saying that Russia gained from the conference.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was critical of the meeting, accusing Trump of having “rolled out the red carpet” for Putin.
He said it appears as if “Trump handed Putin legitimacy, a global stage, zero accountability, and got nothing in return” for hosting Putin at the high-profile summit on American soil, noting that details on the outcome are scarce.
Republicans, meanwhile, expressed optimism that the summit represented a movement toward peace.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a Senate moderate who’s sometimes been critical of Trump, responded positively after the conclusion of talks between the two leaders at a military base in her home state.
“It was also encouraging to hear both presidents reference future meetings, which I hope will include Ukraine. Ukraine must be part of any negotiated settlement and must freely agree to its terms as we seek an end to the violent, unlawful war being waged against it,” she added.
Her colleagues in the Alaskan delegation, Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), signaled strong support for Trump’s peacemaking efforts ahead of the summit.
Fitzpatrick, one of the most outspoken Ukraine allies in the House GOP conference, said that Ukraine should be at the negotiating table to reach a “true and lasting” security arrangement in Eastern Europe.
“Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom are not bargaining chips; they are principles that must be defended. No path to peace is credible without their voice,” Fitzpatrick wrote. “America has always led the free world by uniting our partners and confronting aggression with resolve.”
“We must do so again—leading with peace through strength and standing with Ukraine and our allies to confront tyranny, defend democracy, and secure freedom for generations to come,” he added.
