U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday concluded a tense yet closely watched high-stakes summit in Alaska, where they met to negotiate a possible ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The highly anticipated meeting, which drew international attention, ended without a formal agreement despite lasting more than two and a half hours at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
Trump described the discussions as “extremely productive,” emphasizing that while “many points” had been agreed upon behind closed doors, there was still no signed arrangement. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he cautioned, repeating a phrase that has become a hallmark of his diplomatic style. According to Trump, progress had been made on several fronts, but the unresolved issues remained significant enough to prevent any breakthrough announcement.
Putin, however, struck a slightly more optimistic tone, telling reporters that an “agreement” had been reached in principle, though he stopped short of providing details. The Russian leader noted that his government was open to continuing dialogue, but he underscored that Moscow would only support an arrangement that recognized Russia’s strategic security interests.
One of the most notable aspects of the Alaska summit was the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been at the center of the conflict since the Russian invasion began. Trump later addressed this omission, telling reporters that Zelenskyy’s role in the peace process was “absolutely critical” and that any lasting solution would require his direct involvement.
“It’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done,” Trump said in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity after the summit. “One or two pretty significant items are still left, but I think they can be reached. And I would also say the European nations have to get involved a little bit, but it’s up to President Zelenskyy.” Trump went on to stress that European leaders had to take greater responsibility, hinting that the U.S. alone could not shoulder the burden of negotiating peace.
The former president confirmed that he would soon brief NATO allies on the Alaska discussions and would also call Zelenskyy directly to provide updates. He further revealed plans to organize a trilateral meeting with Putin and the Ukrainian president in the coming weeks, a move aimed at bringing all key stakeholders to the table for direct negotiations.
When pressed about his advice to Zelenskyy, Trump was blunt and unfiltered: “Make the deal. Gotta make the deal, yeah. Look, Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” His remarks immediately sparked debate among analysts, with some arguing that the statement underscored his pragmatic approach, while others criticized it as a sign of weakness toward Moscow.
At the joint press conference that followed the summit, neither Trump nor Putin took questions from the hundreds of journalists present. Instead, the two leaders delivered brief prepared remarks, shook hands quickly, and exited the stage without engaging the press. The abrupt ending left many observers frustrated, with speculation swirling about what had been discussed behind closed doors.
Trump also hinted that decisions on sanctions or punitive measures against Russia would be postponed, signaling a temporary cooling of U.S. pressure. “Because of what happened today, I don’t have to think about it for two or three weeks,” he said, leaving open the possibility of further developments depending on the progress of talks with both Moscow and Kyiv.
The Alaska summit, though inconclusive, marked one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements in recent years. It has set the stage for a potentially decisive phase in U.S.–Russia relations and the broader international response to the war in Ukraine, with the world now watching to see whether Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy can translate cautious optimism into a concrete peace deal.