United States President, Donald Trump, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin concluded their high-stakes summit on Friday without any breakthrough on Ukraine, signaling areas of agreement and renewed camaraderie but offering no concrete news on a ceasefire.
After three hours of talks with aides, the meeting ended abruptly. Both leaders delivered warm remarks to the press but declined questions, an unusual move for the media-savvy US president.
“We’re not there yet, but we’ve made progress. There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump said.
He described the summit as “extremely productive” and claimed “many points” were agreed upon, though he did not provide details.
“There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant,” Trump added, offering no further explanation.
Putin, speaking briefly at a joint press event lasting only 12 minutes, also remained general in his comments.
“We hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” he said.
As Trump contemplated a follow-up meeting, Putin smiled and remarked in English: “Next time in Moscow.”
The former KGB officer appeared to flatter Trump, noting that the Ukraine conflict “would not have happened if Trump were president instead of Joe Biden.”
Trump, in turn, reiterated his claim of a “hoax” regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election, a conclusion supported by US intelligence.
Earlier, Trump had warned of “severe consequences” should Russia reject a ceasefire. However, in a post-summit Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, he said, “because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now.”
Putin warns Western allies
The cordial exchange sharply contrasted with Trump’s scolding of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in February.
Trump had previously proposed a three-way meeting with Zelensky but did not announce any plans at the summit.
He said he would now consult both Zelensky and NATO leaders, some of whom have expressed concern over his outreach to Putin.
“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump said in the Fox News interview.
Putin cautioned Ukraine and European nations to “not create any obstacles” and to avoid “making attempts to disrupt this emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigues.”
Trump had invited Putin just a week prior, ensuring a carefully staged moment for their first in-person meeting since 2019.
The two leaders arrived aboard their respective presidential jets and met on the tarmac, where Trump applauded Putin’s arrival.
US military power was prominently displayed with a B-2 stealth bomber flying overhead as a reporter called out to Putin, “Will you stop killing civilians?”
Undeterred, Putin grinned as Trump escorted him into “The Beast,” the secure US presidential limousine, before a meeting in a room where a screen read—exclusively in English—“Pursuing Peace.”
Putin even joked with Russian reporters during the visit, a significant gesture for a leader facing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over the Ukraine war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Battlefield context
Recent Russian advances on the battlefield may strengthen Putin’s position in any ceasefire talks, although Ukraine reported retaking several villages just as Putin arrived.
Trump had previously insisted he would take a firm stance with Putin after criticism for appearing subdued during their 2018 Helsinki summit.
While traveling to Alaska, it was announced that Trump had canceled plans to meet Putin alone, instead holding talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff.
Zelensky was not included and has resisted Trump’s pressure to cede territory seized by Russia.
“It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America,” Zelensky wrote on social media.