The world turned its attention last week to the Alaska summit held between the American and Russian presidents. The results differed from expectations; while the anticipation was to reach a ceasefire agreement, the outcome was a clear advantage for the Tsar over the American president, convincing him of the importance of a comprehensive agreement that fulfills Russia’s objectives.

Reading the body language, the American president is the one who initiates the handshake at their first meeting and subsequent encounters. The threats issued by Trump before the meeting, warning of increased sanctions on Russia if no agreement was reached, disappeared. In reality, Russia emerged without any sanctions.

The Russian president accurately read the psychology of the American president, who needs much psychological appeasement, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize from the Norwegian committee, which was awarded to former President Barack Obama early in his term. Since then, it has become an obsession for Donald Trump. Zelensky is also part of this game; he sent Trump a thank-you message from his wife to the First Lady—another attempt at ‘appeasement’!

The Tsar knows this trait in the president but tactically advances and retreats to deny Donald Trump that prize before obtaining most, if not all, of what he wants. The American president has no choice but to go along with the Russian Tsar, who proudly declared at the press conference, “If Trump were in power, the war would not have happened!” This is music to the ears of a president who loves praise, a passion well known to all, shaping how politicians interact with him. Even Netanyahu sent him a Nobel nomination letter from the Israeli government!

In 2025, Mr. Putin will have served a quarter-century as Russia’s leader, either as president or prime minister. Initially, the Russian constitution limited the presidency to two four-year terms, later amended to six years, and then changed again in 2020 to reset Putin’s previous terms, allowing him to start anew. He could remain in power until 2036 if the constitution is not changed. Trump has three years left, but his tools were hampered after the 2026 midterm elections.

This difference in power retention between the permanent Moscow Tsar and the relatively temporary Washington president gives the Tsar a long breath.

Putin understands this reality and partially achieves his goals with Trump. If he obtains part of Ukraine’s territory, it would be a historic precedent since World War II, a bad sign for international norms and law established over decades, and devastating news for Europe.

The Alaska summit’s outcome favors Moscow; Putin returned home free of sanctions and recognized by being received on American soil, the world’s leading power.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump returned with internal administration differences, disagreements among European allies, and strong dissatisfaction from the Ukrainian administration and people.

This deal-making politics is short-lived and may work in real estate but is unsuitable for politics, which requires different tools beyond threats, brinkmanship, material gain, or even ‘appeasement.’

This will cost Mr. Trump many of his bases in the United States and cast doubts on his political abilities among European allies, alongside many steps he took not only against Russia but also against several countries where he expanded hostility and reduced friendship. Influential American voices are already talking about ‘the end of the American era!’