Photos: V. Carchietta/Witters ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
ANCHORAGE, AL, Aug. 15, 2025 ~ After six years without a formal summit, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday, offering warm words and hopeful gestures—but few specifics. The leaders described their talks as “extremely productive,” yet stopped short of announcing any concrete agreements, particularly on the war in Ukraine.
Held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the summit marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s presidency resumed. While both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue, the absence of Ukrainian representation and the lack of a ceasefire announcement left many observers questioning the summit’s substance. “We didn’t get there, but we have a good chance of getting there,” Trump said, referring to what he called “one big issue”—widely interpreted as the Ukraine conflict.
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Aug. 15, 2025 ~ President Trump and President Putin address the media during a joint press conference following their summit Friday in Alaska.
(CONTINUED) In his remarks, Putin leaned heavily on historical ties and shared wartime sacrifices, invoking the legacy of Russian-American cooperation during World War II. “We’ll always remember other historical examples when our countries defeated common enemies together,” he said. He praised Trump’s “well-wishing and trustworthy tone,” and expressed hope that the summit would “pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.”
Despite the cordial atmosphere, neither leader offered details on what was discussed or agreed upon. Trump noted that “points were agreed to,” but clarified, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” He also mentioned plans to brief NATO and other leaders, suggesting that further negotiations may follow. “The more important meeting will be the second meeting that we’re having,” Trump said, hinting at a future round that could include Ukrainian and European officials.
Economic cooperation was briefly touched upon, with Putin citing a symbolic 20% growth in bilateral trade and potential collaboration in areas like space and Arctic development. Yet, as with the political discussions, no formal initiatives were announced. “Russia and the US can offer each other so much,” Putin said, “but it’s very important for our countries to turn the page.”
In the end, the summit may be remembered more for its tone than its outcomes. With thousands still dying weekly in Ukraine, both leaders acknowledged the urgency—but left the world waiting for action. “We’re going to stop really, 5, 6, 7,000 thousands of people a week from being killed,” Trump said. Whether this meeting marks the beginning of that effort or simply a diplomatic pause remains uncertain.
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