US President Donald Trump looked upset and tired. Perhaps because Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed unwavering, still talking about the “root causes” of the war and sounding as if he had not changed. In what sounded like a threat, he even warned Kiev and its European allies not to interfere in any process he believed Trump had dragged into.

“We expect Kiev and European capitals to perceive all of this in a constructive way and not to create obstacles, not to try to disrupt the emerging progress through provocations and backstage intrigues,” Putin said.

Trump’s appeal to Kiev and its NATO allies may represent some kind of framework that Putin sees as an “agreement,” but ultimately it is clear from Trump’s facial expression and words that he has not made any significant deal that he believes will work. The two didn’t even have lunch together, and Putin rushed to his plane.

The most difficult parts of the negotiations are those that remain to be agreed at the end. And Trump’s statement that there are some “big” issues that remain unresolved suggests that little progress has been made on issues such as what territory Putin wants and the ceasefire.

But Putin has two big victories here. First, the remarkable spectacle of a red carpet welcome in the United States and a ride in the “Beast” limousine—both unusual forms of rehabilitating an alleged war criminal. For many Ukrainians, it was a horrifying sight, made even worse when the Kremlin leader called Ukraine a “brotherly” nation despite having spent three and a half years killing its civilians.

The second victory is time. Putin has bought more time for his forces to advance along the front lines. It is not clear whether Trump is angry enough to impose secondary sanctions in the coming days. But Putin did not seem to be in a hurry, suggesting further meetings and continued work. Time is of the essence, as Putin’s summer offensive is poised to turn incremental gains into strategic victories.

Ukraine will eventually wake up to a world that has not changed. A terrible world, but one without a sudden rapprochement between the United States and Russia or a deal to try to swallow. І BGNES

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Nick Paton Walsh, CNN.