Trump, Putin Hail ‘Constructive’ Alaska Summit on Ukraine/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin declared “great progress” at their Alaska summit but provided few details. Putin urged Ukraine and European leaders not to disrupt “emerging progress,” while Trump prepared calls to NATO and Zelenskyy. Both leaders avoided press questions, leaving the deal’s contours unclear.
Trump Putin Alaska Summit Quick Looks
- Trump says he will call NATO and Zelenskyy after the summit.
- Putin warns Kyiv and Europe not to derail talks.
- Putin says Ukraine’s security must be ensured in any deal.
- Putin proposes Moscow as the next summit location.
- Trump calls relationship with Putin “fantastic,” blames “Russia hoax” for past tensions.
- Leaders claim “great progress” but announce no concrete agreement.
- Talks described as “respectful and constructive” by Putin.
- Putin opened the press conference, an unusual diplomatic protocol shift.
Deep Look: Trump and Putin Hail Progress at Alaska Summit, Plan Next Steps
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged from their first summit since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine claiming “great progress” — but without announcing a concrete deal. Meeting in Anchorage, the leaders said discussions were productive, respectful, and potentially a turning point in the war’s trajectory.
Calls to Follow
Speaking after their bilateral meeting, Trump told reporters he would immediately begin making calls to key allies and stakeholders, including NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and “other appropriate officials.”
“I’m going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened,” Trump said, emphasizing that Ukraine must ultimately agree to any terms discussed.
Putin’s Warnings to Kyiv and Europe
During the joint press conference, Putin urged Ukrainian and European leaders to avoid undermining what he called “emerging progress.” He warned against “provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues” that could derail the path toward peace.
Putin framed the war as rooted in “fundamental threats” to Russia’s security, insisting that eliminating these threats was essential for lasting peace.
He called for a “just balance of security in Europe and in the world” while agreeing with Trump that Ukraine’s security should also be guaranteed.
Proposals for Next Summit
Putin proposed holding their next meeting in Moscow, making the request in English. Trump acknowledged the suggestion’s political sensitivity but did not rule it out.
“That’s an interesting one, I’ll get a little heat on that,” Trump said. “But I could see it possibly happening.”
Unusual Press Conference Protocol
Breaking standard diplomatic protocol, Putin opened the joint press conference while Trump stood by. Typically, the U.S. president speaks first when hosting a foreign leader.
Both leaders delivered short statements — Putin for about eight minutes, Trump for roughly four — and then exited without taking questions. The decision leaves the precise content of their talks largely undisclosed.
Mutual Praise and Past Frictions
Trump described his relationship with Putin as “fantastic,” though hindered in the past by investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election — which he referred to as the “Russia hoax.” He noted that despite “many tough meetings” in the past, Putin “understood” the political challenges Trump faced.
Putin, for his part, called the meeting “long overdue,” noting there had been no U.S.-Russia summits for four years — a period he said marked the lowest point in relations since the Cold War.
Atmosphere and Tone
Putin characterized the meeting as “respectful, constructive and mutually respectful,” thanking Trump for hosting the summit in Alaska. He remarked that the location was “quite logical” given the two countries’ proximity despite being separated by oceans.
While no formal agreement was announced, both sides suggested that the talks had established a foundation for further negotiations.
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