‘No Deal Until a Deal’: Trump Cites Progress but Warns on Russia Summit Outcome
US President Donald Trump on Friday described his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, as “extremely productive,” signaling hope for progress toward ending the protracted Ukraine conflict. Speaking to reporters after a more than three-hour closed-door meeting, Trump said many points had been agreed upon with “very few” unresolved issues remaining, but cautioned that “there is no deal until there is one.”
The Alaska summit, the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, saw both presidents express a cautiously optimistic tone regarding peace prospects. Trump laid out a welcoming red carpet for Putin, emphasizing mutual respect and expressing belief in a “very good chance” of reaching an agreement in the near future.
“We didn’t get there, but progress was made in Ukraine talks with Vladimir Putin,” Trump said during the joint press conference. Referring to ongoing peace efforts, he hinted at a potential second meeting, to which Putin responded with a smile, “Next time in Moscow.”
Putin echoed the desire to end the conflict but stressed the need for a comprehensive solution. “The situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. We have always considered the Ukrainian nation a brotherly nation. Everything that’s happening is a tragedy for us,” he said. He emphasized that for peace to be lasting, “we need to eliminate all the primary roots and causes of that conflict,” highlighting Moscow’s longstanding security concerns.
The summit underscored the complexity of the Ukraine war, reflecting the difficulties in reconciling security interests, territorial disputes, and political outcomes. While the leaders refrained from outlining specific terms, the diplomatic engagement marks a pivotal step in the ongoing search for a ceasefire.
