By Dayo Ade Olusola | August 16, 2025 | M10News
The highly anticipated meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, billed as the “summit of the century,” ended with disappointment after failing to deliver any major diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump Leaves Without a Deal
Despite Trump’s reputation for deal-making, no agreement was reached, and the joint press conference that followed — expected to be a headline moment — fizzled out after just 12 minutes.
Ukraine Watches in Dismay
For Ukrainians, the red-carpet welcome extended to Putin was viewed as a bitter insult, given the devastation his war continues to inflict on their nation. Analysts noted the optics undermined Western solidarity with Kyiv.
Viral Clip Sparks Health Speculation
Beyond the politics, attention quickly shifted to Putin’s health after footage showed his legs twitching as he bid farewell to Trump, rocking on his heels and toes in a way that stirred widespread speculation.
Telegram Channels Weigh In
On Telegram, Ukraine’s Times of Ukraine channel asked: “Attention — Putin’s legs. What is wrong with them?” while the Nevzorov channel observed that “Putin seems to have achieved his goal, but he is twitching suspiciously. His legs are shaking.”
Rumours of an Exoskeleton
Crimean Wind went further, suggesting Putin could have been wearing a hidden exoskeleton under his trousers, sparking wild debate among viewers.
Thick Soles and Height Debate
Others focused on the unusually thick soles of his shoes, speculating that Putin was attempting to mask his shorter stature in comparison to Trump, who is eight inches taller.
‘Napoleon Complex’ Allegations
“Suffering from a Napoleon complex, Putin decided not to limit himself to traditional shoes with hidden platforms,” Crimean Wind continued, fueling ridicule across social media.
Trump Urges Ukraine to Make a Deal
Meanwhile, Trump made his headlines by calling on Ukraine to agree to a peace deal, declaring: “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.”
Shift Away from U.S. Policy
In a major departure from current U.S. and European policy, Trump said he and Putin agreed that the best way forward was to pursue a direct settlement rather than a ceasefire.
War’s Devastating Toll
The war, the deadliest in Europe in 80 years, has killed or wounded more than a million people on both sides, including thousands of Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts.
Putin Pays Tribute in Alaska
After the summit, Putin was filmed laying flowers at the Fort Richardson Memorial Cemetery, honouring Soviet pilots and U.S. servicemen connected to the Second World War.
Historic Link Through Lend-Lease
During World War II, Soviet pilots trained in Alaska under the Lend-Lease program, ferrying American aircraft across the Bering Strait to aid the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany.
Putin Departs in ‘Flying Kremlin’
From Anchorage, Putin returned to his Il-96-300PU — dubbed the “Flying Kremlin” — where he is formally referred to as “Passenger Number One.”
U.S. F-22 Fighters Escort Putin
Footage showed American F-22 Raptor jets escorting the Russian leader’s plane from Alaska toward the Russian border in a rare military protocol gesture.
Crossing the International Date Line
Putin’s journey then took him across the International Date Line as he continued toward Russia’s far eastern frontier.
Arrival in Remote Chukotka
He landed in Chukotka, a remote Russian region once governed by former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, where he is scheduled to meet with local officials.
A Summit That Raised More Questions Than Answers
Although the Alaska summit ended without tangible results, it reignited speculation about Putin’s health and highlighted Trump’s evolving stance on the Ukraine war, leaving allies and adversaries alike uncertain about the path ahead.
