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Trump and Putin met in Alaska for high-stakes talks on Ukraine's war, discussing ceasefire terms, territorial issues and European security, while excluding Ukraine from the discussions.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meeting in Alaska (File Photo)
UPDATED: Aug 16, 2025 04:32 IST
The talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Friday after more than two and a half hours, closing a tense, closely-watched summit in Alaska that could shape both the war in Ukraine and Europe’s security landscape.
It was the first time the two had met since 2019. They gathered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage with top aides on each side for a three-on-three meeting. The setting was heavy with symbolism — a blue backdrop behind them carried the words “Pursuing Peace.”
Before sitting down with Putin, Trump had said he wanted two things: an immediate stop to the fighting and a firm commitment from the Russian leader to meet soon with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The goal, he said, was to get both sides talking directly about ending the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
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Donald Trump greeted Vladimir Putin in Alaska with a handshake, smiles, and even a ride in the presidential limousine before talks on ending the Ukraine war. The friendly reception, more common for close allies, contrasted sharply with Putin’s role in launching Europe’s largest land war since 1945. The event raised concerns among Ukraine and European leaders about Trump’s willingness to press Putin hard on ending the conflict.
Originally planned as a one-on-one meeting, the talks became a three-on-three session, with US officials Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff joining Trump, and Sergey Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov joining Putin. The change suggested a more cautious approach than Trump’s 2018 Helsinki meeting, when he was criticized for siding with Putin over US intelligence on election meddling.
Hosting Putin on US soil in Alaska, bought from Russia in 1867 gives the Russian leader symbolic legitimacy after years of isolation. Any peace agreement could risk alienating Ukraine if concessions are made without its consent. Trump has previously warned of “severe consequences” for Russia but also hinted Zelenskyy might have to accept territorial losses for peace.
The discussions are expected to cover a potential ceasefire, Russian demands for Ukraine to cede territory, and possible US-European security guarantees for Ukraine outside NATO membership. Putin wants a comprehensive deal that secures his gains and blocks Kyiv’s NATO ambitions. Trump says Ukraine should decide on concessions, while expressing doubt about securing an immediate ceasefire.
The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a Cold War-era strategic site still intercepting Russian aircraft. Alaska’s proximity to Russia, just 3 miles at its closest point underscored the symbolism. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face heavy bombardments, a stretched military, and a grinding war along a 600-mile front, with neither side close to meeting the other’s conditions for peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders were excluded from the Trump-Putin meeting. Zelenskyy responded with a video calling for a “strong position from the US” and stressing Ukraine’s readiness for peace. The decision breaks the Western policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” raising fears that Trump might agree to a deal unfavorable to Kyiv without its direct participation.
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Published By:
Rivanshi Rakhrai
Published On:
Aug 16, 2025
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