MWE Correspondent
United States President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met face-to-face in Alaska on Friday, a high-stakes encounter that many hoped would bring progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Instead, the meeting ended without a breakthrough, though both leaders described the discussions as “productive.”
The summit, held at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, lasted just over two hours. Putin’s arrival was marked by a full ceremonial welcome—complete with a red-carpet rollout and a brief limousine ride with Trump across the tarmac, a moment rich in symbolism at a time when U.S.–Russia relations are near historic lows.
Speaking afterward, Trump told reporters the talks covered “many points of agreement,” but he stressed that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.” He made clear that Washington is not negotiating on behalf of Ukraine, insisting that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government can decide the terms of peace. “I will speak with President Zelenskyy and our NATO allies very soon,” Trump said.
Putin was slightly more optimistic, saying the two leaders had reached a “certain understanding,” while warning Europe and Kyiv not to derail progress. He framed the Alaska talks as overdue, noting that dialogue was essential to prevent further deterioration in global security.
Also Read; Senegal Debates Asset Disclosure Law Amid Controversy
Yet as the two men spoke, fresh violence was unfolding thousands of miles away. Russian missiles struck targets inside Ukraine earlier in the day, a grim reminder of the conflict’s ongoing toll and a signal that Moscow’s military campaign remains active despite diplomatic overtures.
From Kyiv, Zelenskyy swiftly rejected any suggestion of compromise on Ukraine’s sovereignty. He repeated that Ukraine would not cede territory and called for stronger international security guarantees backed by the United States and NATO.
Foreign policy experts have reacted cautiously to the summit. Analysts warn that unless Moscow shows a genuine willingness to de-escalate, Washington must be ready to respond—whether through tougher sanctions or increased military aid for Ukraine.
Still, there are hints of further diplomacy. Both Trump and Putin left open the possibility of a follow-up meeting, potentially with Zelenskyy present. Kremlin officials even suggested that if the initial groundwork holds, a three-way summit could take place later this year.
