Three Hours of Talks, No Deal
The two leaders met for more than three hours in a bid to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. Afterward, they appeared together before reporters for a 12-minute press conference. Trump struck an optimistic tone, describing the meeting as “extremely productive” despite acknowledging that no final agreement had been reached.
“We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there,” Trump told reporters. “Many points were agreed to, and there are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.”
Trump did not elaborate on what that “most significant” unresolved issue was, though both sides are believed to remain far apart on core questions such as the future of Ukrainian territory and Western sanctions against Russia.
Putin’s Four Words in English
As the press conference drew to a close, Putin surprised everyone by turning to Trump and saying in clear English:
“Next time in Moscow.”
The remark drew startled laughter in the room and visibly caught Trump off guard. He responded with a grin:
“That’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that one. But I could see it possibly happening.”
If such a trip were to occur, it would mark the first visit to Russia by a U.S. president since Barack Obama traveled to St. Petersburg for the G20 summit in 2013.
Trump: ‘I Want to End the War’
Earlier in the day, Trump expressed doubt about his ability to secure a peace deal, despite repeated conversations with Putin.
“I’ve had a lot of good conversations with him, then I go home and see that a rocket hit a nursing home or an apartment building and people are laying dead in the streets,” Trump said. “So I guess the answer to whether I can do it is no.”
Still, Trump emphasized his determination to end the conflict, describing it as “Biden’s war” but insisting he wanted to bring it to a close.
“I’ll be very proud to end this war, along with the five other wars I ended,” Trump said. “But I guess the answer is probably no.”
A Warning of Severe Consequences
Speaking aboard Air Force One before the meeting, Trump was asked what consequences Russia could face if Putin showed no willingness to negotiate peace. His answer was blunt:
“Economically severe. It will be very severe. I’m not doing this for my health… I’d like to focus on our country, but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives.”
The warning underscores the high stakes of the summit, as the war in Ukraine continues to drag on with devastating humanitarian consequences.
A Summit That Raises More Questions Than Answers
While no deal was reached in Alaska, the symbolic meeting between Trump and Putin dominated global headlines. Analysts noted that Putin’s unexpected invitation to Moscow could open the door for further dialogue — though any potential visit would spark intense political debate in Washington.
For now, the two leaders left Anchorage with an uneasy mix of progress and uncertainty: some agreements made, major differences unresolved, and a surprising four-word phrase that may shape the next chapter of their diplomatic engagement.
