In Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv, theatre manager Pavlo Nebroev stayed up late into the night to follow the press conference between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The two leaders met in Alaska to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now stretching into its fourth year.

From Kharkiv, which has endured relentless Russian attacks, the meeting looked like a clear win for Moscow. Nebroev said: “I saw the results I expected. I think this is a great diplomatic victory for Putin. He has completely legitimised himself.”

Ukrainians feel excluded

For many in Ukraine, Trump’s decision to host Putin in the U.S. signaled the end of the West’s isolation of the Russian leader since the 2022 invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not invited to the summit, called the trip Putin’s “personal victory.” Nebroev, like many others, expressed shock that the talks took place without Ukraine. He dismissed the meeting as pointless, saying: “This was a useless meeting. Issues concerning Ukraine should be resolved with Ukraine, with the participation of Ukrainians, the president.”

No deal, more attacks

The Alaska talks lasted hours but produced no breakthrough. Trump did not take questions afterward, which was unusual for a president who often engages with the media. He later briefed European leaders and Zelenskyy, who announced he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday.

Meanwhile, the war continued. Hours after the summit, Kyiv reported that Russia launched 85 drones and a ballistic missile overnight. In Kharkiv, residents said nothing had changed. Photographer Iryna Derkach explained: “Whether there are talks or not, Kharkiv is being shelled almost every day. Kharkiv definitely doesn’t feel any change.” Derkach joined the daily minute of silence in memory of invasion victims. She added: “We believe in victory, we know it will come, but God only knows who exactly will bring it about.”

Mixed feelings toward Trump

Suspicion of Trump ran deep among many Ukrainians. Derkach admitted: “We do our job and don’t pay too much attention to what Trump is doing.” In Kyiv, 30-year-old cosplayer Kateryna Fuchenko voiced doubts about U.S. support. She said: “I don’t think he is for Ukraine,” criticizing Trump for acting as if he were “buddies” with Putin. She described the summit as empty talk: “They just poured water from empty to empty, back and forth, as always.”

Fear of more violence

Others feared more Russian attacks, regardless of negotiations. Kyiv pensioner Volodymyr Yanukovych expected Moscow to “fire as they fired” on the capital, which has faced repeated deadly strikes this summer. Pharmacist Larysa Melnyk also doubted peace was close. She said: “I don’t think there will be a truce,” warning that even if one came, it would only be temporary. Pointing to Russia’s record, she recalled the 2008 war in Georgia and asked: “Why does nobody react to this?”