Trump, Putin Left Alaska Summit Without Ukraine Ceasefire Deal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met for three hours in Alaska but failed to reach a deal on Ukraine. Trump described the talks as “productive” but admitted no ceasefire progress was made. Putin flattered Trump and proposed Moscow for a future summit, but major differences remain.
Trump Putin Alaska Summit Quick Looks
- Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for about three hours.
- Trump called the talks “productive” but acknowledged no ceasefire deal.
- Putin said Ukraine’s security must be addressed but insisted Russia’s concerns come first.
- Trump promised calls to Zelenskyy and NATO allies after the summit.
- Putin proposed Moscow as the site of a future meeting.
- Trump refrained from imposing the “very severe consequences” he had threatened.
- Both leaders avoided press questions, leaving details vague.
- Kyiv avoided being forced into an unfavorable deal but gained no momentum.
Deep Look: Trump and Putin End Alaska Summit With No Deal on Ukraine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The highly anticipated Alaska summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Friday with smiles, photo opportunities, and warm gestures — but no concrete agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
The two leaders met for roughly three hours with senior aides at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Despite a red-carpet welcome and promises of tough bargaining, Trump conceded afterward that progress was limited.
“We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there,” he said, framing the talks as “extremely productive” while acknowledging the lack of movement on the central issue: a ceasefire.
No Breakthrough Despite Optimistic Tone
Trump had entered the summit suggesting he might walk out within minutes if Putin wasn’t serious about peace. Instead, he shared laughs and a limousine ride with the Russian leader. In his 12-minute statement to reporters afterward, Trump declared that “many points were agreed to” but admitted “one big one” remained unresolved — widely understood to be Ukraine’s battlefield ceasefire.
Putin, for his part, praised the talks and echoed Trump’s optimism but gave no sign of major concessions. He said Russia’s “fundamental security threats” must be addressed and called for eliminating “the primary causes of the conflict.” While he agreed Ukraine’s security should be ensured, his language suggested Moscow remains unwilling to scale back its demands.
Future Meetings Floated, But No Firm Plans
When Trump remarked, “I’ll probably see you again very soon,” Putin quickly proposed hosting the next summit in Moscow. Trump, noting the controversy such a move would spark, called it “interesting” and did not rule it out.
Still, no date or framework for future talks was announced, and both leaders boarded their planes shortly after the press event, leaving Anchorage without a clear roadmap.
Trump Balances Allies and Expectations
Ahead of the meeting, Trump had floated the idea of a trilateral summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but those plans did not materialize. Instead, Trump promised to brief Zelenskyy and NATO allies by phone, stressing that “it’s ultimately up to them.” NATO officials said arrangements for a briefing call were underway within hours.
The lack of a deal may actually reassure Kyiv and European leaders, who feared Trump might pressure Ukraine into concessions. Analysts note that Trump, once eager to push for a quick peace on Moscow’s terms, has shifted closer to NATO’s position in recent months. His Anchorage approach suggested more caution than his earlier campaign promise to “end the war in 24 hours.”
Optics: Red Carpet and Warm Gestures
Despite the diplomatic stalemate, the optics favored Putin. He received a red-carpet greeting, complete with a handshake and friendly exchanges, softening his image as an international pariah. Trump even clapped as Putin arrived and laughed with him during their brief private limousine ride.
Such displays drew criticism given Russia’s ongoing aggression and Putin’s standing as a global outcast since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Meeting Format
Unlike previous one-on-one sessions, Trump entered the private room with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. White House officials had hinted at a larger working lunch, but that did not take place.
The leaders emerged for a joint appearance beneath a backdrop reading “Pursuing Peace,” but neither fielded questions. Instead, both made short statements — Putin speaking for about eight minutes, Trump for four — before departing.
Implications and Takeaways
For Putin, the summit bought more time. He avoided new sanctions, secured global images of legitimacy, and kept the narrative moving without giving ground. For Trump, the outcome avoided the backlash of conceding too much while also sidestepping the threat of an early walkout.
For Ukraine, the stalemate was a relief compared with the feared alternative — a U.S.-Russia side deal that pressured Kyiv into concessions. Yet it also highlighted the lack of progress toward ending a war that continues to devastate the region.
The Anchorage summit underscored the delicate balance Trump faces: projecting himself as a dealmaker while avoiding moves that fracture NATO unity or alienate Ukraine’s leadership. For now, the peace Trump promised remains elusive, leaving the conflict unresolved and future talks uncertain.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.