ANCHORAGE (ALASKA): U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes meeting on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska, but their talks failed to deliver a formal ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The summit, which lasted nearly four hours, was described by both leaders as “constructive” and “positive.” Yet, despite heightened expectations, no concrete progress was announced on halting the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump personally greeted Putin upon arrival, shaking hands warmly on a red carpet before inviting him into his presidential limousine. The two leaders spoke privately during the short ride, without translators present.
Formal talks later included the foreign ministers and senior officials from both sides, though journalists were kept at arm’s length with only brief photo opportunities permitted.
According to officials, Ukraine dominated the agenda. President Trump pressed for an immediate ceasefire but acknowledged that further meetings would be required to resolve differences.
Putin, addressing a joint press conference after the talks, thanked Trump for hosting the summit in Alaska — a region he noted has “deep historical ties” with Russia. He said the discussions had been constructive and that he had developed “very good relations” with Trump.
On the Ukraine conflict, Putin described Ukrainians as “brothers” and called the war a “tragedy” for Russia. He insisted that Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed but argued that peace could only come by addressing the root causes of the conflict. He reiterated Russia’s longstanding demand that its legitimate security concerns be taken seriously and called for restoring a global balance of security.
While no agreement emerged, analysts noted the symbolism of the two leaders meeting on American soil, in Alaska, once part of the Russian Empire, as a significant gesture toward thawing relations. President Trump, keeping remarks brief, said he remained optimistic about progress but emphasized that serious issues require serious time.
The summit thus marked a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Moscow, but the guns in Ukraine remain silent only in hope, not in fact.
