Trump Hints at Moscow Visit After Landmark Alaska Talks With Putin

Daily Tribune

a day ago

TDT | Manama
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-stakes meeting in Alaska on Friday, with both leaders emphasizing progress toward a potential peace settlement in Ukraine. The summit, held in Anchorage, marked the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Trump's return to office.
The talks, described by both sides as 'productive,' focused largely on ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rebuilding strained U.S.-Russia relations. Although no formal agreement was announced, the leaders signaled cautious optimism about moving closer to a framework for peace.
Following the meeting, both presidents delivered statements at a joint news conference but declined to take questions from the media.
Putin: 'A Meeting Long Overdue'
President Putin opened his remarks by thanking President Trump for the initiative to host the summit in Alaska, calling the location symbolic of shared history and geographic closeness.
'It only makes sense that we've met here, because our countries, though separated by oceans, are close neighbors,' Putin said, recalling the historical ties between Russia and Alaska, including cultural heritage from Russian America and the World War II-era air bridge that supplied Allied forces.
He stressed that the relationship between Moscow and Washington had reached its lowest point since the Cold War, but insisted it was time to 'move on from confrontation to dialogue.'
On Ukraine, Putin reiterated Russia's position that peace must address what he called the 'primary causes of the conflict,' including Moscow's security concerns. At the same time, he acknowledged Ukraine's sovereignty, describing the war as a 'tragedy for both nations with shared roots.'
'We are sincerely interested in putting an end to it,' Putin said. 'Lasting peace will require considering Russia's legitimate concerns while ensuring Ukraine's security.'
He added that he hoped the tentative understandings reached with Trump would be welcomed 'constructively' in Kyiv and across European capitals.
Putin also pointed to growing trade between the two countries and highlighted potential cooperation in technology, energy, Arctic exploration, and even space. 'It is important for our countries to turn the page and return to cooperation,' he said.
Trump: 'Extremely Productive'
President Trump, speaking after Putin, described the summit as 'extremely productive,' noting that both sides had agreed on 'many, many points,' though some issues remained unresolved.
'There's no deal until there's a deal,' Trump said, adding that he would brief NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the discussions.
Trump emphasized his personal relationship with Putin, saying the two had maintained 'fantastic' communication despite past obstacles, including what he referred to as the 'Russia hoax' that clouded U.S. politics during his previous term.
The American president said both leaders shared a determination to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine. 'We're going to stop thousands of people a week from being killed. President Putin wants to see that as much as I do,' Trump said.
Trump hinted at future meetings, possibly in Moscow, while thanking Putin's delegation and Russian business leaders present in Anchorage. 'We made great progress today. One big issue remains, but I believe we have a very good chance of resolving it,' he said.
A Path Forward
While no breakthrough was announced, the symbolism of Trump and Putin meeting in Alaska—the narrow bridge between Russia and the United States—was not lost on observers. Both leaders framed the summit as the start of a new chapter, with the potential to move beyond decades of mistrust.
Putin concluded by expressing confidence that 'mutually beneficial and equal ties' could be rebuilt, while Trump said he expected another round of talks soon.
As the world watches, the fate of the war in Ukraine—and the broader U.S.-Russia relationship—may hinge on whether the goodwill expressed in Anchorage can translate into concrete agreements in the months ahead.