Mixed Ukraine reactions to Trump-Putin talks – and what happens next?

In Ukraine, the Alaska summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump drew a mix of reactions. 

The official and diplomatic statement released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office was careful, and uncritical. It said the U.S. influence is crucial to support any hope of a ceasefire, and offer security guarantees to Ukraine.  

Now, a ceasefire between Ukrainian and Russian forces is not on the table – but a peace agreement, apparently, is. 

Zelenskyy's statement says Ukraine supports Trump's proposal for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia – to discuss key issues between the three leaders.

Almost as if to concur with the lighthearted and potentially uncomfortable moment for Trump at the end of their news conference in Alaska, when Putin said their meeting would be "Next time in Moscow," Trump replied: "Oh, that's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening."

Perhaps it could happen. But if Zelenskyy wants the U.S. and European security once a peace agreement is in place, as a barrier to any future Russian aggression, how much security would he need to meet and talk with Trump and Putin in Moscow?

A trilateral meeting between the three of them is unlikely within Russian territory, and Putin, possibly, has no intention of meeting his Ukrainian counterpart at all. It's reported they loathe each other.

So, with an immediate ceasefire between the warring sides not on the table after the Alaska summit, there are many questions how any process can even begin unless the current fighting is stopped.

European leaders have been careful not to complain about the meeting in Anchorage, despite doubts that it barely achieved anything, apart from headlines and a PR win for Russia.

During a call with Zelenskyy and European leaders after the summit, Trump expressed support for a proposal by Putin to take full control of two largely Russian-held Ukrainian regions in exchange for freezing the frontline in two others, an official briefed on the talks told journalists.

Putin "de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas," an area consisting of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, the source said.

In exchange, Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, where the main cities are still under Ukrainian control.

Ukraine doesn't want to cede any of its territory to Russia, especially as four regions in the east are occupied by Russian forces and are part of the 1,200 kilometer frontline that snakes from Kherson in the south up to the Luhansk region.

The day after the talks, air raid warnings were sounded in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The conflict slowed down for a few hours – but shelling and bombing quickly returned as a daily occurrence in parts of Ukraine.

Another image that does rankle with Ukrainians after Trump and Putin flew home, is the red carpet moment, and those firm, friendly, smiling handshakes between the two presidents. It has infuriated many, with one member of Ukraine's parliament  describing it as "sickening."

There's plenty for Ukraine's leadership to contemplate after the warm welcome that was given to Putin dring his first trip to the U.S. in a decade.

How do they respond to Trump's comments that Ukraine must strike a deal, because they're facing a more powerful adversary? And in the cold light of day – after Alaska – just how much support can they expect from this U.S. administration?

It seems there aren't many expectations for a positive outcome. 

"I believe and hope that it's still up to us to decide and Europe to decide because it's our home, and not solely for the U.S., for Trump and Putin to decide our destiny… I do believe we have enough strength and will to continue fighting if needed," a woman in Kyiv told CGTN.

Vlad, another Kyiv resident, is almost 18. At first he wasn't keen to talk as he enjoyed the company of friends in the sunshine in central Kyiv, but he soon opened up.

"It's really stressful for Ukrainians right now and it really isn't good … because we are at war and just two old guys in a different country are talking about this as if it's nothing," he said.