Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska: High-Stakes Summit Ends Without Ukraine Ceasefire

August 15, 2025 - ANCHORAGE, AK. - In a dramatic and closely watched summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, former U.S. President Donald J. Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for nearly three hours to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Despite warm handshakes and optimistic rhetoric, the meeting concluded without a ceasefire or formal peace agreement - leaving global observers uncertain about the path forward.

"A great and very successful day in Alaska!" President Trump said on Truth Social. "The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up. President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The Setting and Symbolism

The choice of Alaska as the summit location was both strategic and symbolic. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska noted that the state "exudes strength and power," with ongoing U.S. military exercises reinforcing the message. The summit was held at a Cold War-era air base, underscoring the geopolitical weight of the moment.

Putin's arrival was marked by red carpet treatment and a cordial greeting from Trump, signaling a thaw in diplomatic relations after years of tension. For Putin, it was his first visit to the U.S. in a decade, despite an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

Talks on Ukraine: No Deal Yet

The summit's primary goal was to broker a ceasefire in the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. While both leaders described the meeting as "productive," no concrete agreement was reached. Trump stated, "There's no deal until there's a deal," and emphasized that the talks had laid the groundwork for future negotiations.

Putin hinted at an "understanding" but offered no specifics. Trump later posted on Truth Social that the best path forward was a direct peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire, which he argued "often times do not hold up".

Zelenskyy and European Leaders React

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was notably absent from the Alaska summit but held a lengthy phone call with Trump afterward. Zelenskyy announced he would travel to Washington on Monday to discuss the summit's outcomes and explore a trilateral peace framework involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia.

European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, joined the call and expressed support for a broader summit. They emphasized continued sanctions against Russia and rejected any Russian veto over Ukraine's potential NATO or EU membership.

What's Next?

Trump suggested that a second summit - possibly in Moscow - could be on the horizon. He remained upbeat, saying, "We're not there yet, but we've made progress." Putin echoed the sentiment, calling the talks cooperative but vague on deliverables.

The lack of a ceasefire disappointed many, including Ukrainian-Americans who had hoped for a breakthrough. Still, the summit marked a rare moment of direct engagement between the U.S. and Russia, with potential implications for global diplomacy and conflict resolution.