UPDATE: Fox News host Howard Kurtz has sharply criticized President Donald Trump‘s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that the meeting, held in Anchorage, Alaska, accomplished “not much.” During the broadcast of Media Buzz on Sunday, Kurtz stated that despite “upbeat talk,” the summit failed to yield any tangible results in addressing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Kurtz’s assessment comes after Trump’s ambiguous remarks at a joint press conference with Putin. The president mentioned that “many points were agreed to,” yet he admitted he “didn’t get there” on the peace deal he has been advocating for. Notably, the press conference did not include any questions from journalists, raising eyebrows about transparency. “No ceasefire, no details, no questions from the press, just vague assurances,” Kurtz declared, emphasizing the lack of clarity surrounding the discussions.
The summit, held on July 14, 2023, was marked by an apparent attempt from the White House to temper expectations ahead of the meeting. Kurtz pointed out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was notably absent, leaving many to question the effectiveness of Trump’s diplomatic efforts. The media’s reaction to the summit was mixed, with much of it leaning towards criticism.
Guest and National Review editor-in-chief Rich Lowry characterized the summit as a potential “setback” for Trump, suggesting that Putin had gained ground by postponing discussions on a ceasefire and discouraging Trump from threatening secondary sanctions. Lowry stated, “You can’t judge them too quickly,” illustrating a cautious approach as reactions unfold.
In a series of furious posts on Truth Social, Trump lashed out against negative media coverage, claiming, “Fake News violently distorts the TRUTH when it comes to me.” Kurtz noted that despite Trump viewing the summit as a success, there are growing concerns about the implications of his agreement with Putin, which reportedly includes significant concessions such as abandoning plans for a ceasefire and potentially conceding the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
Contrary to Trump’s stance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio challenged these reports, asserting that any agreements must ultimately be sanctioned by Ukrainian authorities. Meanwhile, former Biden aide Meghan Hays condemned Trump for what she described as granting Putin a “red carpet” welcome, marking the first time the Russian leader had set foot on U.S. soil in a decade. Hays argued that the U.S. had, in effect, validated Putin’s actions, positioning itself against Ukraine and NATO allies.
As world leaders and analysts dissect the implications of this summit, the fallout from Trump’s meeting with Putin continues to evolve. The lack of new sanctions against Russia, despite prior threats, leaves many questioning the effectiveness of Trump’s diplomatic approach and its consequences for Ukraine.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The political landscape may shift as reactions from both sides continue to pour in, and the implications of these discussions unfold on a global scale.
