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U.S. President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin did not reach a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine after talks in Alaska on Friday, as the two leaders offered scant details on what was discussed but heaped praise on one another.
Putin said he and Trump had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine and warned Europe not to “torpedo the nascent progress.” But Trump said, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal” and said he plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders soon.
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The high-profile summit ended without an agreement to end, or even pause, the brutal conflict — the largest land war in Europe since 1945 — which has raged for more than three years.
Putin thanked Trump for the “friendly” tone of the conversation they had on Friday and said Russia and the United States should “turn the page and go back to cooperation.”
He praised Trump as someone who “has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve and sincerely cares about the prosperity of his country, and at the same time shows understanding that Russia’s has its own national interests.”
“I expect that today’s agreements will become a reference point not only for solving the Ukrainian problem, but will also mark the beginning of the restoration of businesslike, pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S.,” Putin said.
Trump said there are “just a very few” issues to resolve concerning the war in Ukraine, without providing any sense of what those issues might be.
“Some are not that significant,” Trump said. “One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.”
The president said he’s “always had a fantastic relationship” with Putin. He referenced the U.S. government investigations into Russia’s support for his 2016 presidential campaign and repeated his claims of the U.S. economy being the “hottest” in the world.
Putin reiterates points made since early on in the war
Putin repeated Moscow’s long-held position that it is “sincerely interested in putting an end” to the war in Ukraine, but for that to happen, “all the root causes of the crisis … must be eliminated.”
“All of Russia’s legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored,” Putin said.
He added that he agrees with Trump on ensuring Ukraine’s security and said Moscow was “ready to work on this,” without offering details.
“I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine,” Putin said, without elaborating on what the understanding was.
“We hope that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles or attempt to disrupt the nascent progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue,” the Russia leader added.
Trump has spoken repeatedly in recent days about wanting to have a second meeting after the Alaska summit.
As they wrapped their statements after the summit, Putin said to Trump in English, “Next time in Moscow.”
Trump responded, “I could see it possibly happening.”
Neither leader announced that a second meeting would be held before they left the room without answering questions from reporters.
After their nearly three-hour-long meeting, neither Trump nor Putin took questions from reporters after giving brief remarks. Putin said the two leaders had reached an “understanding,” but neither offered further details.
Trump says he will fill Zelenskyy in on Putin meeting
The U.S. president also said he would call European and NATO leaders to give them updates from his meeting with Putin.
Trump said “some great progress” was made in his bilateral meeting with the Russian president, saying “many points were agreed to,” with just a “very few” remaining.
Zelenskyy was not invited to the Alaska summit.
Putin says there would no be war in Ukraine if Trump had been president in 2022
Trump has long claimed that Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if he had still be in the White House — and the Russian leader confirmed that argument at a news conference after their meeting.
Putin criticized former President Joe Biden without naming him and referenced Trump’s argument about his presence being sufficient to stop the war.
“I can confirm that,” Putin said through a translator.
Speaking in Russian, the president said he had greeted Trump as “dear neighbour,” thankful to see him in good health.
Putin also said he and Trump “have very good, direct contact.”
As Putin spoke, Trump stood about 6 or 7 feet away from him, at his own podium.
Putin said the U.S. and Russia are separated by mere miles so it made sense for the summit to be held in Alaska.
He said the talks were held “in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere,” and were “very thorough and useful.”
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