President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for 2½ hours on Friday in Alaska, claiming an “understanding” on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, but offered no specifics and left without addressing questions. The summit, marked by a warm handshake and a ride in the U.S. presidential limo, failed to produce a concrete agreement to halt Europe’s largest land war since 1945.
Putin, speaking first, described the talks as productive, asserting an “understanding” on Ukraine and cautioning Europe against derailing progress. Trump, however, tempered expectations, stating he would consult Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon, adding, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” The absence of a joint press conference left the summit’s outcomes vague.
The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, began with a striking display of cordiality. Putin, grinning broadly, rode with Trump in “The Beast” after a red-carpet greeting, despite shouted questions from reporters about civilian deaths in Ukraine. The warm reception, unusual for a leader responsible for the war, raised concerns among Ukrainian and European leaders, who were excluded from the talks and fear Trump may prioritize U.S. interests over Ukraine’s.
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Zelenskyy, in a video address, expressed hope for a “strong position from the U.S.” and stressed Ukraine’s readiness to work toward an “honest end” to the war, noting Russia’s lack of signals to stop fighting. The summit was a chance for Trump to showcase his dealmaking prowess, having boasted he could swiftly end the conflict, but no breakthrough emerged.
For Putin, the visit to U.S. soil—America’s first since Russia sold Alaska in 1867—offered validation after years of isolation following the 2022 invasion. The talks, expanded to include aides like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, reflected a cautious approach compared to Trump’s 2018 Helsinki meeting with Putin.
The summit carried risks for Trump, with Zelenskyy’s exclusion challenging the West’s “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” policy. Russia’s demands, including territorial concessions and blocking Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, remain far from Kyiv’s position, complicating prospects for peace. Trump acknowledged a 25% chance of failure beforehand and floated inviting Zelenskyy for a follow-up meeting if successful, though he stayed through the talks despite earlier suggesting he might walk out.
Trump hinted at discussing security guarantees for Ukraine, excluding NATO membership, which Putin opposes. NATO’s Gen. Alexus Grynkewich was present to advise Trump, signaling European efforts to ensure firmness with Putin. With the war draining both sides and Ukraine struggling against Russia’s larger forces, the summit’s lack of progress underscores the complexity of achieving peace.
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