Donald Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in years ended in Alaska on Friday with no ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, though both leaders signaled cautious optimism.
The summit ran for three hours, after which Trump described the engagement as “extremely productive” while cautioning, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” He hinted at progress on “many points” but declined to reveal details.
Putin added: “We hope that the understanding we have reached will… pave the way for peace in Ukraine.” The Russian president further praised Trump, saying the war would not have begun had he, and not Joe Biden, been in power.
The optics were as notable as the content. Both leaders arrived in separate presidential jets, greeted by a B-2 bomber flyover. Cameras captured Trump clapping as Putin stepped off his aircraft, later ushering him into “The Beast.”
Despite warm gestures — including Putin’s playful comment “Next time in Moscow” — Trump still faces skepticism from NATO allies and Ukrainian leadership. Zelensky, excluded from the summit, reaffirmed his position: “It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America.”
The Alaska talks rekindled the personal dynamic between the two leaders but left the war’s end no closer.