Trump and Putin End Alaska Summit Without Ukraine Ceasefire Deal
U.S. and Russian leaders concluded Alaska talks without a ceasefire deal, offering vague progress claims. Trump called discussions "productive" while Putin hinted at future Moscow meeting, as Ukraine continues fighting on the ground.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their high-stakes summit in Alaska on Friday without reaching a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine, offering warm words about progress but little substance on ending the devastating conflict.
The talks, lasting three hours with aides present, ended abruptly and were followed by an unusually brief joint press appearance in which both leaders spoke but refused to take questions — a rare move for the media-driven Trump.
Trump described the summit as “extremely productive,” noting that “many points” had been agreed upon, though he did not disclose specifics.
“We’re not there yet, but we’ve made progress. There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he said, adding that only a few issues remain unresolved. “Some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant.”
Putin, speaking in general terms, voiced optimism that their discussions could lead toward peace. “We hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine,” he said.
As Trump raised the possibility of a second meeting, Putin smiled and responded in English: “Next time in Moscow.”
The Russian leader, a former KGB officer, praised Trump directly, echoing his past remarks that the war in Ukraine “would not have happened” if Trump had been president instead of Joe Biden. Trump, in turn, reiterated his frequent dismissal of U.S. intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, calling it a “hoax.”
The carefully choreographed meeting began with red-carpet pageantry at a U.S. air base in Anchorage. Both leaders arrived on their presidential jets and descended onto the tarmac as U.S. military power was displayed with a B-2 stealth bomber flying overhead. Trump even escorted Putin into the secure U.S. presidential limousine, known as “The Beast,” before beginning talks in front of a backdrop that read in English only: “Pursuing Peace.”
The symbolism was striking for Putin, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over the Ukraine war but was undaunted as he smiled, joked with Russian reporters, and received a level of international exposure he has largely avoided since February 2022.
Prior to the meeting, Trump had warned Moscow of “severe consequences” if Russia refused to accept a ceasefire. Yet in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity after the talks, Trump suggested the summit eased that stance. “Because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that now,” he said.
The outcome contrasted sharply with Trump’s February meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he harshly criticized Kyiv’s approach. Although Trump had initially spoken of arranging a three-way meeting with Zelensky and Putin, no such announcement came in Alaska.
“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump told Fox News after the summit, while noting he would consult with NATO leaders.
Putin issued his own warning to Ukraine and European nations, urging them not to “create any obstacles” or “attempt to disrupt this emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigues.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported it had retaken several villages on the same day Putin flew to Alaska, even as Russia claimed battlefield advances that could strengthen Moscow’s hand in future ceasefire negotiations.
Zelensky, excluded from the Alaska summit, reaffirmed his position in a social media post: “It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America.”
Despite sharp criticism over his handling of a 2018 summit with Putin in Helsinki, Trump insisted he was firm in his approach this time, though no breakthrough was achieved. His delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, after the White House scrapped earlier plans for a one-on-one session with Putin.
For now, the Alaska summit delivered symbolism, personal camaraderie, and hints of possible progress — but no concrete steps toward ending a war that has killed tens of thousands and continues to destabilize the region.
