BAKU, August 16 — The Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin carried as much meaning in gestures and symbols as in diplomatic exchanges, according to analysts.
Hasan Oktay, head of Turkey’s Center for Caucasus Strategic Studies (KAFKASSAM), told Oxu.Az that the encounter highlighted how both leaders attempted to project strength while masking underlying tension.
“Trump has long framed a ceasefire in Ukraine as his priority,” Oktay noted. “The summit was designed to show that Washington, not Moscow, is in control of the regional agenda.” He added that the choice of Alaska was deliberate — signaling U.S. advantage on home turf. The flyover of American B-2 bombers during the meeting further underscored that message.
Moscow, meanwhile, countered with its own signals. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s attire was interpreted as a subtle message, while Putin’s arrival beneath fighter jet escorts suggested the persistence of war risks. Yet Putin also struck a softer note: smiling, offering warm gestures, and signaling trust in Trump’s approach.
“Both leaders were visibly tense,” Oktay observed, “but they worked hard to present composure. Their body language was a performance of control.”
The summit follows months of friction despite Trump’s campaign promises to ease tensions. Trump’s earlier threats of sanctions and shortened deadlines to Moscow remain fresh in memory, even as he seeks to balance Ukraine, European allies, and broader U.S.–Russia ties.
Ultimately, Oktay stressed that the choreography of the meeting — posture, smiles, and military flyovers — will matter less than the documents and statements to emerge afterward. “The photos tell us both sides prepared carefully to project confidence,” he said, “but the real outcome will be measured in agreements, not in gestures.”
