While Ukraine might be inching toward accepting a deal, skeptics warn that it still could fall apart if neither side can find an offer tolerable to the other.

Putin left Alaska with Trump's endorsement of the "fantastic relationship" between the two presidents, having successfully neutralized Trump's previous demand he agree an immediate ceasefire and pushing off the threat of more American sanctions, while gaining the prospect of potentially lucrative bilateral economic cooperation.

Ukraine talks in Geneva, President Zelensky says: "Putin wants legal recognition to what he has stolen...that's the main problem."