ANALYSIS — Russian President Vladimir Putin stood at a lectern Friday with the seal of the U.S. presidency — a surreal sight — and said he and Donald Trump reached an understanding about the Ukraine conflict. But they left a U.S. military base holding those details close to their vests.
Putin, the ultimate wildcard among world leaders, did not describe the contours of that understanding he reached with the anti-war American commander in chief. But he did have a warning for the very European leaders who have for several years worried he might expand his Ukraine front to their soils.
“I would like to hope that the agreement that we’ve reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kiev and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won’t throw a wrench in the works,” said Putin, who broke protocol by speaking first at a media availability after a three-hour meeting.
