No Deal, No Answers After Brief Trump–Putin Talks in Alaska
U.S. President claims “great progress” but ends press conference abruptly without taking questions
In Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met face-to-face on Friday for high-stakes discussions focused on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. While Trump hailed the talks as “very productive” and said “many points” had been agreed upon, he confirmed that no deal had been reached.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Trump said only “a few” issues remained unresolved, including one he described as “perhaps the most important,” but expressed optimism about a potential breakthrough. “Until there’s a deal, I’ll be calling NATO… and certainly [Ukrainian President] Zelensky to update him. Ultimately, it’s up to them,” Trump said.
Both leaders exchanged warm remarks, with Putin endorsing Trump’s view that the war would never have started had Trump won the 2020 election. However, neither offered specifics about their nearly three-hour meeting, and they declined to take questions from the assembled press.
Putin, speaking through a translator, called Trump’s efforts on Ukraine “valuable” and suggested the two had reached “understanding” on certain matters. He urged Europe not to undermine potential progress with “backroom dealing” and reiterated his long-standing demands that Ukraine formally abandon NATO membership and impose political changes in Kyiv — conditions many view as equivalent to removing President Zelensky from power.
The meeting’s optics — including Trump warmly greeting Putin on the tarmac, inviting him into the U.S. presidential limousine, and the two leaders sharing casual exchanges — are likely to concern Kyiv and European allies. Critics in Washington, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, accused Trump of legitimizing an “authoritarian thug” without securing tangible concessions.
Fox News later reported that Trump privately rated the meeting “a 10 out of 10,” while Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said the encounter showcased Trump’s “dangerous alignment” with Moscow.
The summit took place at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, a Cold War–era facility on the outskirts of Anchorage. The leaders’ friendly body language stood in sharp contrast to Trump’s visibly tense meeting with Zelensky earlier this year.
As military aircraft flew overhead to mark the occasion, reporters shouted questions — including whether Putin would stop killing civilians — but received no answers. The press conference ended abruptly, with Trump and Putin leaving the stage to the sound of unanswered calls.
Table of Contents
What was discussed at the Trump–Putin Alaska summit?
The leaders focused on resolving the Ukraine war, NATO involvement, and future U.S.–Russia relations.
Was any agreement reached during the meeting?
No final agreement was reached, though both sides reported “progress” on certain issues.
Why was President Zelensky not present at the summit?
Zelensky was excluded from the Alaska talks, but Trump said he would update him afterward.
