President Donald Trump entered a high-stakes summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin aiming for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but ultimately shifted his stance to pursue a full peace agreement, aligning more closely with Putin's position. The dramatic reversal exposed the challenges of negotiating with Putin and the complexities of the ongoing conflict, with critics suggesting Trump emerged from the meeting in a weaker position. While European leaders were relieved that no territory was ceded to Russia, the summit allowed Putin to regain prominence on the world stage and may have bought Russia more time in its offensive. The lack of concrete outcomes and Trump's deferential treatment of Putin sparked concern among Democrats, who called for tougher sanctions, while some Republicans remained optimistic about future progress. The meeting was widely seen in Europe as a diplomatic win for Putin and a setback for Trump, raising questions about America's global influence.