Reactions After the Meeting: 'Russia Euphoric – Europe Depressed'

There was no ceasefire last night. Several experts agree. Vladimir Putin won the summit in Alaska.

– In Russia, the mood will be euphoric, in the U.S. it will be confused, in Europe it is depressing, says Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton on CNN.

Threats of sanctions were numerous from Trump's side before the meeting with Putin in Alaska.

But now that the meeting has concluded, Putin seems to have escaped without new targeted sanctions, improved relations with the U.S., and a continued war in Ukraine.

Trump said at the press conference afterward that "they didn't quite reach an agreement."

The president delayed several minutes before coming out to the journalists.

– It's clear why it took so long for them to come on stage. Trump and his team spent a lot of time trying to make a 'nothing burger' look like filet mignon, and they never succeeded, says CNN's political chief commentator David Axelrod.

'Putin Has Gotten Him Where He Wants'

Experts noted that Trump looked tired on stage, and the fact that he only spoke for three minutes and didn't answer any questions raises questions about the actual success of the meeting.

John Bolton was Trump's national security advisor from 2018-2019 and was present during the leaders' previous meeting in Helsinki in 2018. He believes that Putin clearly won the meeting.

– I think the mood in Russia after this will be nearly euphoric, it will be confused in the U.S., and I think it will be very depressed in Europe and Ukraine, says Bolton on CNN.

– Four of Trump's so-called 'red lines' for sanctions have now been crossed without consequences. Putin has gotten him where he wants, which I think is very clear.

Did Not Mention Ceasefire at All

During the press conference, Putin mentioned that he and Trump talked about the 'root' of the conflict in Ukraine and that he hopes Trump can understand it.

Neither Putin nor Trump mentioned the word 'ceasefire' even once.

– It stood out. If they had mentioned a ceasefire today, it would have changed the nature of the discussion. We seem to be far from that, says Sky News political expert James Matthews.

There is officially no date for the new meeting Trump claims will be held.

– He has escaped new sanctions, he is not facing sanctions, and the next meeting is not set. He won the meeting, overwhelmingly, says Bolton.

Joy in Russia: 'Rolled Out the Red Carpet'

In Russian media, the meeting is portrayed as 'a great victory.' Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, reiterated this on social media.

– Western media are in a state that can be called obsession, near the brink of complete madness: for three years they have talked about Russia's isolation, and today they saw the red carpet with which the Russian president was welcomed in the U.S., she says according to Russian state Tass.