President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting face to
face, starting this meeting, shaking hands, walking
out on the stage together but not taking any questions
from journalists and what had been described as a press
conference. President Trump described this as a productive meeting
. He suggested there were points of agreement, but
what he called big ones that still had what he
described as a ways to go. What is significant
here is there is not any indication on what those
specific sticking points are. Now he did say he
intends to call Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, NATO leaders
, and others, which is significant because leading up
to this he had indicated if he thought it went
well, if there was a chance he would give
them a call. But at the same time,
and Jason, I'm sure you picked up on this
as well, there was a key line from Putin
that stood out and that. is where he said
he was convinced to make a long-term settlement. They
need to eliminate the primary causes of conflict, and
that is something he has said all along throughout this
full scale invasion, indicating that perhaps he did not
budge or change in his view in this meeting.
That of course is the big question as they appear
to be holding the details of this very closely at
this point. I could hear the groan from Kiev
. And Trump rather said one thing in relation to
civilian casualties, civilian deaths in Ukraine, President Trump
said that President Putin wants to see that end as
much as I do. Well, the reaction in
Kiev, I haven't been able to get it yet
, but I think we have a good sense of
what it will be. I mean, absent knowing
more details. What they discussed, I think that
is going to be very alarming to not just Ukraine
but also European allies, and we know and Andrew
going into this, one of the goals for President
Trump twofold to reach a ceasefire, to pave the
way for a larger meeting, including President Zelensky,
and we did not hear either leader mention either of
those points. The word. Ceasefire not mentioned on
this stage meeting with President Zelensky not mentioned on this
stage, and that is significant to point out as
we look at what the potential next steps are rather
, we heard Putin seem to make a pitch for
cooperation to Trump, referencing space and technology, something
Trump had earlier indicated there was a potential for business
, but not until the fighting had stopped, and
it is certainly not clear that there is any more
willingness to do so at this point than there was
coming into this meeting.