Trump and Putin Claim ‘Great Progress’ in Alaska Summit, but Ukraine Deal Still Elusive

Anchorage meeting marks first high-level U.S.-Russia engagement under Trump’s new term, with both leaders stressing constructive dialogue but leaving key questions unresolved

Alaska, Aug 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their highly anticipated summit in Anchorage on Friday, hailing the discussions as “productive” and signaling that “great progress” had been made. Yet both leaders acknowledged that no final agreement on Ukraine was reached, stressing that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

The meeting, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, stretched several hours and included a mix of one-on-one and expanded delegation talks. The summit was closely watched around the world, as it marked the first in-person encounter between Trump and Putin since Trump returned to the White House.

Trump: “Ultimately, It’s Up to Ukraine”

Speaking briefly at a joint press appearance, President Trump characterized the meeting as a step in the right direction.

“We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,” Trump said. “We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. I will call up NATO in a little while, I’ll call up the various people I think are appropriate, and I’ll of course call President Zelensky to tell him about today’s meeting. It’s ultimately up to them.”

Trump emphasized that the U.S. would not impose a settlement on Kyiv, reiterating that Ukraine must agree to any arrangement negotiated with Moscow. “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to help bring them to the table,” he said.

The President’s delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Finance Minister Scott Bessant, Commerce Minister Howard Lutnick, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt.

Putin: “Security of Ukraine Should Be Ensured”

Putin, who spoke for nearly eight minutes compared to Trump’s shorter four-minute statement, acknowledged that U.S.-Russia ties had deteriorated in recent years but said the summit had been conducted in a “respectful, constructive, and mutually respectful atmosphere.”

“The situation in Ukraine is tied to fundamental threats to Russia’s security,” Putin declared. “We are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate the primary causes of the conflict. But I agree with President Trump that the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well.”

Putin warned Ukrainian and European leaders against obstructing what he described as “emerging progress.” He urged Kyiv and European capitals “not to create obstacles, not to disrupt progress through provocations or behind-the-scenes intrigues.”

The Russian leader also repeated a claim he has made before: that the war would not have broken out in 2022 had Trump been in office. “President Trump and I established a very good, businesslike, and trusting contact. By moving along this path, we can reach – and the sooner, the better – the end of the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.

A Controversial Proposal: Next Meeting in Moscow?

One of the most striking moments of the press conference came when Putin floated the idea of holding the next summit in Moscow. Making the proposal in English, the Russian President said he would welcome Trump to the Kremlin.

Trump did not dismiss the idea outright but acknowledged the controversy such a move would stir at home. “That’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that,” he admitted. “But I could see it possibly happening.”

Russia’s Demands Remain Firm

Despite the positive tone, Putin did not appear to retreat from Russia’s longstanding demands. He insisted that any settlement must address Moscow’s “legitimate security concerns” and “reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and the world as a whole.”

“The war is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound,” Putin said. “Russia is sincerely interested in ending it, but we must amend the situation to move from confrontation to dialogue.”

While neither leader disclosed specific terms under discussion, Russian officials have previously indicated that Moscow wants recognition of territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and relief from Western sanctions.

Trump Balances Optimism With Warnings

For his part, Trump balanced optimism with caution. He praised Putin as a “smart guy” and reiterated his belief that Russia wants peace due to its struggling economy. Yet he also warned of “serious economic consequences” if Moscow shows no genuine interest in ending the war.

“Putin’s country is not strong economically, and China isn’t doing well either,” Trump said. “They need peace. But if he doesn’t show interest, the consequences will be serious.”

The President also reiterated his opposition to Ukraine’s NATO membership, instead suggesting “security guarantees with Europe and other countries.”

A Different Summit Structure

Unlike traditional summits, where leaders meet one-on-one before expanding to broader delegations and concluding with a working lunch, Trump and Putin moved directly into group discussions. Participants included Secretary Rubio and envoy Witkoff on the U.S. side, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousoy, and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov for Russia.

A planned luncheon session with additional officials did not appear to take place.

Trump Reflects on His Relationship With Putin

Trump also used the occasion to revisit his personal rapport with Putin, which he said had been strained during his first term by investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

“We always had a fantastic relationship, but it was impeded by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax,” Trump said. “It made things tougher, but he understood it. We had many tough meetings, good meetings, and I think this one was one of the better ones.”

What Comes Next?

Both leaders stressed that Friday’s meeting was just a starting point. Trump promised to brief NATO allies and President Zelensky, while Putin pressed for further talks. The Russian leader even expressed hope that the emerging understandings could “pave the path toward peace in Ukraine.”

Still, neither side revealed whether discussions had touched on a potential ceasefire, nor did they provide concrete details on territorial arrangements or sanctions relief.

Analysis: A Cautious Opening, Not a Breakthrough

For now, the Alaska summit appears to be more about symbolism and tone than substance. Both Trump and Putin underscored the importance of dialogue and indicated they had built personal trust. Yet the absence of specifics highlights just how far apart Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv remain.

Putin’s warnings to Europe not to “interfere,” coupled with his insistence on addressing Russia’s security concerns, suggest Moscow is not prepared to soften its core demands. Trump’s refusal to guarantee NATO membership to Ukraine will likely alarm some allies, even as his promise to consult with Zelensky offers reassurance that Washington is not bypassing Kyiv.

As Trump himself put it: “We made some headway. We made great progress. But there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

Team Maverick.