The much-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without a breakthrough in ending the war in Ukraine. Despite nearly three hours of talks in Alaska, the two leaders offered no concrete solutions, though both described the discussions as productive. Trump mentioned unspecified progress but stressed that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.” Meanwhile, Putin reiterated Moscow’s stance that the conflict’s “root causes” must be resolved before any lasting peace can be achieved.
For Putin, simply meeting with Trump was a diplomatic victory, as Western leaders have largely shunned him since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump hinted at postponing tariffs on Chinese purchases of Russian oil, citing progress in the talks. However, he provided no details on potential peace negotiations involving Ukraine. The war continued to rage during the summit, with both sides reporting drone attacks and airstrikes across frontline regions.
Trump suggested that future talks could include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, though no formal plans were announced. Zelenskiy, excluded from the Alaska summit, had earlier urged the U.S. to support a “just peace.” Trump claimed he discussed potential land swaps and security guarantees with Putin but emphasized that Ukraine would have to agree to any deal. Analysts remain skeptical, as Zelenskiy has firmly rejected ceding territory to Russia.
The summit ended without the dramatic breakthrough many had hoped for, contrasting sharply with its high-profile beginning. As Trump and Putin exchanged pleasantries—even joking about a future meeting in Moscow—the reality on the ground remained grim. With no ceasefire in sight and both sides continuing military operations, the path to peace remains uncertain. The world now watches to see if this meeting will lead to further negotiations or simply prolong the deadlock.
