Key points
- Zelensky not invited
- Trump, Putin cite progress but offer no details
- First summit between the two presidents since Russia’s invasion in 2022
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their summit in Alaska on Friday without declaring agreement on any issue.
At a joint appearance after their nearly three-hour meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Trump gave a vague but positive assessment that progress had been made, according to the New York Times.
“Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left.” But he did not describe those points, or even specify that they had to do with Ukraine.
“We’ve made some headway,” he added. “So there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
Abrupt ending
After an abrupt ending to three hours of talks with aides, Trump and Putin offered warm words but took no questions from reporters — highly unusual for the media-savvy US president.
Putin also spoke in general terms of cooperation in a joint press appearance that lasted just 12 minutes, according to AFP.
“We hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” Putin said.
As Trump mused about a second meeting, Putin smiled and said in English: “Next time in Moscow.”
Putin told Trump he agreed with him that the Ukraine war would not have happened if Trump were president instead of Joe Biden.
Trump, for his part, again complained of a “hoax” that Russia intervened to help him in the 2016 election — a finding backed by US intelligence.
Before the summit, Trump had warned of “severe consequences” if Russia did not accept a ceasefire.
But when asked about those consequences during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity after the talks, Trump said that “because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now.”
Putin warns Ukrainian allies
The friendly reception contrasted with Trump’s berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when he met him at the White House in February.
Trump earlier said he sought a three-way meeting with Zelensky but did not announce one at the summit.
Trump said he would now consult Zelensky as well as NATO leaders, who have voiced unease about the US leader’s outreach to Putin.
“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump said in the Fox News interview after the summit.
JUST IN | 🇺🇸 President Trump
🗣️ “We’re pretty close to a deal. Now look, Ukraine has to agree to it. Maybe they’ll say no.”#TrumpPutinSummit | #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/9rIUIcj0xS
— The Election Post (@ElectionPostUSA) August 16, 2025
Putin warned Ukraine and European countries to “not create any obstacles” and not “make attempts to disrupt this emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigues.”
Trump invited Putin just a week ago and ensured there was some carefully choreographed drama for their first in-person meeting since 2019.
The two leaders arrived in their respective presidential jets and descended on the tarmac of an air base, with Trump clapping as Putin appeared.
US military might was on display with a B-2 stealth bomber flying overhead, as a reporter shouted audibly to Putin, “Will you stop killing civilians?”
Trump just flew a B-2 stealth bomber over Putin’s head…
Absolutely incredible. pic.twitter.com/2bsnssRv9f
— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) August 15, 2025
Putin, undaunted, grinned widely as Trump took the unusual step of escorting him into “The Beast,” the secure US presidential limousine, before a meeting in a room before a screen that said — in English only — “Pursuing Peace.”
