In a significant meeting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged after more than two and a half hours of discussions, indicating progress but failing to reach a conclusive deal regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The meeting was characterized by a three-on-three format including top advisers from both nations, and both leaders described the encounter as “constructive” and “businesslike”.
During a joint press conference, Trump referred to Putin simply as “Vladimir” while Putin highlighted their geographical proximity, saying, “though separated by the oceans, we are close neighbors.”
After the lengthy talks, Trump expressed a positive assessment of the meeting, assigning it a score of “10” out of 10 in an interview with Fox News.
This encounter marked the first time that the presidents of the United States and Russia met face-to-face since the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022.
Putin described the war as “a tragedy for us and a terrible wound”, emphasizing Russia’s sincere interest in ending the conflict, while also mentioning the necessity of discussing what he called “all legitimate constraints of Russia” alongside ensuring Ukraine’s security.
In expressing hope for a resolution, he stated, “Naturally, we are prepared to work for that,” and voiced optimism that their discussions would advance towards peace in Ukraine.
However, Putin warned against “backroom dealings” or provocations that could jeopardize any progress made, insisting that Moscow expects Kyiv and European capitals to perceive the talks positively and refrain from creating obstacles.
The choice of Alaska as the location for the talks was justified by Putin due to its geographical significance and shared historical ties, noting that the Bering Strait is only about 4 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.
He reminisced about World War II cooperation and the “legendary air bridge” that facilitated the transport of US aircraft to Soviet forces during the conflict.
Putin stated, “We will always remember… when our countries defeated common enemies together,” expressing confidence that this shared heritage could aid in rebuilding relations between the two nations despite current challenges.
Additionally, Putin asserted that the potential for investment and business cooperation between the US and Russia remains substantial.
“I expect that today’s agreements will be the starting point not only for the solution of the Ukrainian issue, but also will help us bring back businesslike and pragmatic relations between Russia and the US,” he remarked.
While both leaders acknowledged the humanitarian toll of the ongoing war, Trump emphasized the importance of stopping the loss of life.
“We’re going to stop… thousands of people a week from being killed, and President Putin wants to see that as much as I do,” he stated during the press conference.
Putin communicated through an interpreter for most of the conference but briefly spoke in English, saying, “Next time in Moscow” after Trump indicated he might visit Russia again.
Trump responded with intrigue, acknowledging that he would likely face some criticism for such a visit but remained optimistic about the prospect.
The press conference concluded without any questions taken from reporters, leading to comments from experts regarding the lack of substantial resolutions on urgent matters such as a near-term ceasefire in Ukraine.
Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Institute for China-American Studies in Washington, characterized the post-meeting announcements as more of a press statement rather than a typical press conference, indicating that while progress was evident, significant gaps on critical issues remained.
He remarked on the importance of early dialogue between the US and Russian heads of state under Trump’s presidency, stating that constructive relationships between major powers are essential for global peace and stability.
Gupta expressed hope that the meeting would help facilitate a more cooperative relationship that could positively influence European and global affairs moving forward.
After his talks with Putin, Trump shared that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin would arrange a meeting to seek a ceasefire to conclude the Ukrainian conflict.
He emphasized that the responsibility now lay with President Zelensky and also called for increased involvement from European nations.
“Now, it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit. But it’s up to President Zelensky… And if they’d like, I’ll be at that next meeting,” Trump articulated during his Fox News interview.
In the lead-up to the summit, Trump welcomed Putin onto a red carpet on the tarmac of the US Air Force base, where they shared a warm handshake and friendly interactions before proceeding to their meeting venue.
Rather than a one-on-one dialogue initially planned, Trump included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy to Russia Steve Witkoff, foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in their discussions.
The backdrop of their conference was adorned with the phrase “Pursuing Peace”, symbolizing the intent of the dialogue.
Although not invited to this meeting, Zelensky expressed optimism earlier on Friday that the discussions between Trump and Putin could pave the way for future trilateral talks involving Ukraine.
As the world watches closely, the outcomes of this pivotal meeting in Alaska may set a foundation for future diplomatic engagements between the two countries.
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