Putin, Trump signal breakthrough in Alaska talks on Ukraine Peace

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a rare face-to-face meeting on US soil, Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Friday described their negotiations in Anchorage as “respectful, constructive and mutually respectful,” with both leaders claiming progress toward a potential agreement to end the war in Ukraine, though no final deal was reached.

Speaking at a joint press conference following hours of closed-door discussions, Putin expressed gratitude for Trump’s invitation to Alaska, calling it a “logical” location given the geographic proximity of the United States and Russia despite being “separated by oceans.”

“Our negotiations were very thorough and useful,” Putin said, adding that he hoped the agreements reached in principle would “pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.”

Trump echoed the sentiment, describing the talks as “extremely productive” with “many points agreed to,” but stressed, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”

He revealed plans to brief NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and “other appropriate parties” about the meeting, while noting that the final decision on any agreement ultimately rested with Ukraine.

The US president praised his “fantastic” personal rapport with Putin, though he said it had been complicated during his first term by what he called the “Russia hoax,” investigations into Moscow’s alleged interference in the 2016 US election.

In one of the most notable points of consensus, Putin publicly agreed with Trump that Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed.

He also stressed that a lasting settlement would require addressing “fundamental threats” to Russia’s security, reinstating what he termed “a just balance of security in Europe and in the world.”

“We expect Kyiv and European capitals to perceive this in a constructive manner,” Putin warned, urging them not to “torpedo” what he described as “emerging progress” through provocations or political manoeuvres.

Putin proposed that the next summit between the two leaders be held in Moscow, a suggestion he delivered in English.

Trump acknowledged the idea was “interesting” but admitted it would be “highly controversial” in Washington.

“I could see it possibly happening,” he said.

The meeting, their first in person in years, ended without the customary question-and-answer session, with both leaders opting to issue statements instead.