US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a closely watched summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, marking the Russian leader’s first visit to the West since the Ukraine war began in 2022. The three-hour talks, hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, were described as “very productive” by Mr Trump and “thorough and useful” by Mr Putin, though no breakthrough was announced.

“There is no deal until there is a deal,” Mr Trump said at a joint press conference, noting progress on “many points” but admitting unresolved issues remain. Mr Putin, who spoke first and at greater length, said Russia was “sincerely interested in putting an end” to the conflict but stressed that Moscow’s “legitimate concerns” about national security must be addressed. He warned against “provocations” or efforts by Kyiv and European capitals to derail the fragile progress.

The meeting comes as Russia has made gains on the battlefield and continues to demand that Ukraine abandon NATO membership ambitions and cede eastern territories Moscow claims to have annexed. Kyiv has rejected these terms, insisting any peace framework must include security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.

The symbolism of the summit was striking: Alaska, once Russian territory, was purchased by the US in 1867 — a historical transaction Mr Putin has previously referenced when speaking of land legitimacy. The two leaders arrived in their respective presidential aircraft, with Mr Trump applauding as Mr Putin stepped onto US soil.

While Mr Trump hailed “wide areas of agreement,” he offered no details on concrete outcomes. He hinted at a follow-up meeting, to which Mr Putin quipped in English: “Next time in Moscow.”

Despite Mr Trump’s optimism and threats of “severe consequences” if Russia refuses a ceasefire, the path to peace remains deeply uncertain.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a closely watched summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, marking the Russian leader’s first visit to the West since the Ukraine war began in 2022. The three-hour talks, hosted at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, were described as “very productive” by Mr Trump and “thorough and useful” by Mr Putin, though no breakthrough was announced.

“There is no deal until there is a deal,” Mr Trump said at a joint press conference, noting progress on “many points” but admitting unresolved issues remain. Mr Putin, who spoke first and at greater length, said Russia was “sincerely interested in putting an end” to the conflict but stressed that Moscow’s “legitimate concerns” about national security must be addressed. He warned against “provocations” or efforts by Kyiv and European capitals to derail the fragile progress.

The meeting comes as Russia has made gains on the battlefield and continues to demand that Ukraine abandon NATO membership ambitions and cede eastern territories Moscow claims to have annexed. Kyiv has rejected these terms, insisting any peace framework must include security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.

The symbolism of the summit was striking: Alaska, once Russian territory, was purchased by the US in 1867 — a historical transaction Mr Putin has previously referenced when speaking of land legitimacy. The two leaders arrived in their respective presidential aircraft, with Mr Trump applauding as Mr Putin stepped onto US soil.

While Mr Trump hailed “wide areas of agreement,” he offered no details on concrete outcomes. He hinted at a follow-up meeting, to which Mr Putin quipped in English: “Next time in Moscow.”

Despite Mr Trump’s optimism and threats of “severe consequences” if Russia refuses a ceasefire, the path to peace remains deeply uncertain.