The closely watched summit in Anchorage between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up with no agreement to halt or pause the war in Ukraine — a conflict now in its fourth year and considered the deadliest in Europe since 1945.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, multiple rounds of peace negotiations have taken place. Yet, the world awaits a breakthrough on ending hostilities.
The talks were held at an Air Force base with a blue backdrop reading “Pursuing Peace.” It reportedly lasted nearly three hours. As expected, the war in Ukraine was the focus.
Trump and Putin were joined by top aides: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The meeting began with an unusually warm reception.
At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, ceremony met symbolism as a red carpet unfurled for Putin’s arrival.
Trump welcomed him with a smile and a handshake, claimed reports. The mood was set.
In a rare show of diplomacy, Putin briefly rode in the US presidential limousine, the armoured vehicle called The Beast. Cameras framed the moment for the ages.
Meanwhile, reporters on the tarmac seized the chance to press the Russian leader. They shouted questions about civilian attacks. Putin remained unfazed. He raised a hand to his ear. It was a sign that he couldn’t or, more appropriately, wouldn’t hear them.
Moments later, the two presidents rode together toward the meeting venue, sharing the limousine. As it rolled past the press corps, Putin was seen grinning broadly.
Trump said that he and Putin made “very productive” progress but reached no final agreement.
“There were many, many points that we agreed on,” he said at a joint press conference with Putin. “I would say a couple of big ones that we haven’t quite got there, but we’ve made some headway. So there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
He added, “And there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn’t get there.”
Trump had entered the summit saying there was a 25 per cent chance it would fail, describing it as a “feel-out meeting.”
Meanwhile, as the two leaders shared a stage after meeting for about two and a half hours, Putin said he and Trump had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to “torpedo the nascent progress.”
He called the meeting a “starting point for resolution” and described the conflict as a “tragedy.” He said Russia needed to address the “primary causes” of the war.
Trump said he was yet to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He clarified he intended to do so soon, along with key European leaders.
“There’s still work to be done, but I think we’re in a much better place than we were before this meeting,” he was quoted as saying.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders were not invited.
Zelenskyy later spoke via a video message. He was optimistic about a firm US stance in support of Ukraine. He alleged that the Russian military continued attacks during the negotiations. “On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes,” he was quoted as saying.
The White House had downplayed expectations for the talks — originally viewed as a potential step toward securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine — with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt describing the summit as “a listening exercise for the president.”
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