U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin stated they made “nice progress” towards peace in Ukraine after almost three hours of personal talks in Alaska on Friday, however there was no phrase on a ceasefire regardless of Trump pledging to press for one.
The 2 leaders gave temporary remarks to reporters after their assembly however took no questions. Trump stated he could be calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders to debate what was agreed to on the assembly, however gave no specifics.
“There have been many, many factors that we agreed on — most of them, I might say — and a few large ones that we haven’t fairly received there, however we’ve made some headway,” Trump stated.
“There’s no deal till there’s a deal. … We didn’t get there, however we have now an excellent likelihood of getting there.”
Putin, talking in Russian, stated the talks have been held in “a constructive and mutually respectful ambiance” and claimed he needed to see peace in Ukraine, however provided that the “main causes of that battle” are addressed.
He additionally warned Kyiv and its European allies to not “throw a wrench within the works” that “torpedo the nascent progress.”
“I anticipate that at this time’s agreements would be the start line, not just for the answer of the Ukrainian concern, but additionally will assist us carry again business-like and pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S.,” Putin stated.
Putin calls Ukraine struggle ‘a tragedy’ however calls for stay
Trump stated Thursday’s he’s hopeful the assembly with Putin will “set the desk” for a future assembly between the 2 leaders and Zelenskyy, who has stated he’ll solely meet with Putin if the Russian chief shows a severe will to finish the struggle.
Trump was joined by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. particular envoy Steve Witkoff for what was initially anticipated to be a one-on-one sit-down with Putin.
A deliberate bilateral lunch scheduled for after the personal talks was scuttled after the assembly went lengthy.
As he flew to Alaska, Trump stated he hoped to realize a ceasefire within the struggle “quickly” and lay the groundwork for a long-term peace deal.
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“I don’t know if it’s going to occur at this time, however I’m not going to be completely satisfied if it doesn’t occur at this time,” he stated. “I’m simply saying I would like the killing to cease.”
Trump appeared cordial in direction of Putin following the assembly, thanking him and claiming the Russian chief desires to see an finish to the killing in Ukraine, as the 2 leaders delivered remarks with the phrases “Pursuing Peace” displayed behind them.
He even appeared open to Putin’s proposal for a future summit in Moscow, saying he “might see it presumably taking place.”
The 2 leaders shook fingers on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and posed for photographers, however didn’t take questions earlier than leaving for his or her assembly.
President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photograph/Julia Demaree Nikhinson).
JDN
President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photograph/Julia Demaree Nikhinson).
JDN
President Donald Trump meets with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photograph/Julia Demaree Nikhinson).
As the 2 teams sat down collectively, Trump and Putin didn’t immediately reply repeated shouted questions from reporters in regards to the prospect for a ceasefire.
At one level, Putin cupped his fingers round his mouth and appeared to say one thing, though his voice couldn’t be heard. Reporters have been then shortly ushered out of the room.
Putin was anticipated to carry agency to his long-term objectives in Ukraine, together with cementing territorial positive aspects and finally pulling the previous Soviet republic again beneath Russia’s management.
Ukraine and its European and Canadian allies — in addition to Ukrainian diasporas in Canada and world wide — have been pushing to make sure Trump doesn’t make a take care of Putin with out Kyiv’s involvement.
Zelenskyy had repeatedly stated ceding territory occupied by Russia is an unacceptable concession for Ukraine, whose borders are enshrined in its structure. Altering them would require a referendum among the many Ukrainian individuals.
Chatting with reporters Friday, Putin stated he desires to make sure the “elementary threats to our safety” he stated have been behind his invasion of Ukraine are addressed, placing Europe and the world on what he referred to as “a simply steadiness of safety.”
“We’ve all the time thought of the Ukrainian nation a brotherly nation — how unusual it might sound in these situations,” he stated.
“We’ve the identical roots, and every part that’s taking place is a tragedy for us and a horrible wound. And subsequently, the nation is sincerely excited by placing an finish to it.”
Russian forces this week have breached the Ukrainian entrance strains within the japanese Donetsk area, considered one of 4 Ukrainian areas that Russia illegally annexed in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Friday on Telegram that Russian assaults continued in a single day because the Alaska summit drew close to.
The struggle has brought about heavy losses on each side and drained assets.
The United Nations Workplace of the Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights reported this month that the variety of civilian casualties in Ukraine in July was the very best on report since Might 2022.
“HIGH STAKES!!!” Trump posted on Fact Social earlier than boarding Air Drive One.
Trump had been souring on Putin earlier than assembly
Trump vowed all through his re-election marketing campaign final yr that he would remedy the Russia-Ukraine battle inside 24 hours of taking workplace. But he acknowledged Thursday that the struggle was “probably the most difficult” amongst different world conflicts his administration has sought to finish.
The U.S. president has promised further sanctions on Russia and different “extreme penalties” if Putin doesn’t show a willingness to make peace. Earlier deadlines for a ceasefire deal set by Trump have come and gone with none motion from the U.S.
A sanctions bundle endorsed by Republicans and Democrats has stalled within the U.S. Senate till Trump explicitly endorses it, one thing he has but to do.
“I feel President Trump has lastly discovered that Putin isn’t his pal, that Putin certainly is the impediment,” Invoice Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, instructed International Information in an interview.
For Putin, the invitation to Alaska successfully ended the years-long western technique of isolating the Russian chief that was spearheaded by former U.S. president Joe Biden.
Ivo Daalder, president of the Chicago Council on International Affairs and a former U.S. NATO consultant, stated it’s additionally “important” that Putin is arriving on American soil as he faces an Worldwide Prison Courtroom arrest warrant for alleged struggle crimes in Ukraine — particularly the compelled elimination of tens of hundreds of Ukrainian youngsters to Russia.
The U.S. isn’t a signatory to the ICC, however Daalder famous that whereas Trump “could not care” in regards to the expenses in opposition to Putin, “the world definitely does.”
“That is bringing an remoted Putin no solely simply out of isolation, however into the mainstream, into the American mainstream,” he stated. “And that could be a important concession.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney took half in talks Wednesday with European leaders and spoke immediately with Zelenskyy on Monday. He stated Canada’s companions are “united on shared ideas,” notably that Ukrainians should resolve on their very own future.
International Affairs Minister Anita Anand spoke together with her Ukrainian counterpart Thursday and stated borders can’t be modified by violence.
“We are going to proceed to assist Ukraine by way of diplomatic measures, army help and financial support to carry Russia accountable for its unlawful struggle,” she wrote on social media, including that Canada’s assist is “unwavering.”
—With recordsdata from International’s Reggie Cecchini, the Canadian Press and the Related Press
