U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine must agree to a deal to end the war with Russia, following a nearly three-hour summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska that concluded without a ceasefire.
At a brief media appearance after the summit, both leaders claimed progress on unspecified issues but provided no concrete details and took no questions. Trump emphasized:
- “We’ve made some headway. There’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
- Regarding Ukraine: “Gotta make a deal.”
Reactions and Next Steps
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine is ready for constructive cooperation following a phone call with Trump and will travel to Washington on Monday to discuss peace efforts in detail. Zelenskiy highlighted the importance of involving European partners to ensure reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia’s longstanding position, calling for the elimination of “root causes” of the crisis and addressing Moscow’s “legitimate concerns,” while agreeing with Trump that Ukraine’s security must be ensured.
Despite discussions reportedly including potential land swaps and security guarantees, neither side announced a ceasefire. Analysts note that the conflict remains Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years, with over a million casualties and thousands of civilian deaths, mostly Ukrainians.
International Reactions
- Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova: The talks “did not bring significant progress toward ending the war but confirmed that Putin seeks to weaken Western unity and spread propaganda.”
- Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide: Pressure on Russia must increase to ensure accountability for the invasion.
Military Developments
Following the summit, Russia launched 85 attack drones and a ballistic missile against Ukraine, while Ukraine shot down 61 drones, according to its Air Force. The General Staff reported 139 clashes along the front line over the past day.
Summit Context
The summit began with a red-carpet welcome for Putin in Alaska, where Trump greeted him warmly. Observers note that the face-to-face meeting represented a symbolic victory for Putin, who had been largely isolated from Western leaders since the 2022 invasion.
Trump indicated that a follow-up three-way summit involving Putin and Zelenskiy may take place, potentially in Moscow, though details remain unclear.
Zelenskiy emphasized before the summit that it should open the way for “just peace” and inclusive talks with all parties, noting that Russia continues military operations.
