Alaska summit ends with few takeaways

First came the red carpet, then the warm handshakes, friendly smiles and military planes flying overhead. Finally, President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin climbed into the back seat of Trump's presidential limousine, casually chatting like reunited friends as they were whisked away to talks about the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.

- Agencies Elmendorf-Richardson, 16 August

It was a greeting fit for the closest US allies. Instead it was rolled out for an adversarial leader who launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II and is seen as one of America's most vexing foes.

Hours later, however, their interactions seemed more muted after they emerged from talks.

Trump and Putin appeared briefly at what had been billed as a joint news conference—though neither took questions. They offered generalities about an "understanding" and "progress," while praising one another from podiums positioned unusually far apart before a backdrop displaying the phrase "Pursuing peace."