Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have held their first face-to-face meeting since the former U.S. president returned to office, with both leaders signalling warmer personal relations but failing to announce any breakthroughs on the war in Ukraine.
The talks took place in Anchorage, Alaska, where Air Force One touched down to a red carpet welcome ahead of the summit.
Trump, who travelled in his armoured limousine known as “The Beast”, said afterwards the meeting went “very well” and rated it “10 out of 10”.
Putin, appearing relaxed as he left the venue, praised the “respectful and frank” discussions. He confirmed that Trump had extended an invitation for him to visit Washington, an offer he described as a “sign of mutual respect”.
Despite the cordial tone, both sides acknowledged there was no agreement on how to end the conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year and regarded as the bloodiest European war since the 1940s.
Reporters shouted questions to Trump as he left, including whether he was comfortable “killing civilians in Ukraine”.
The president did not respond directly, walking past the press pack and entering his vehicle.
Instead, Trump insisted that progress had been made behind closed doors. “We’re going to have further talks, but I think we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.
The White House later confirmed that Trump had briefed European leaders on the discussions and reassured them that Washington remained committed to NATO.
However, officials stressed that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had not been present at the Alaska summit.
That omission is likely to raise questions in Kyiv, where Zelensky has repeatedly urged the U.S. to maintain military support and avoid striking a deal that excludes Ukraine’s government.
European capitals are also expected to scrutinise the tone of the Trump-Putin encounter.
Several leaders, including Germany’s Olaf Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, have warned against any settlement that rewards Russian advances.
Russia has intensified its drone and missile campaign against Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, while its ground forces continue pressing offensives in the east. Western intelligence estimates tens of thousands of casualties on both sides, making the conflict the deadliest in Europe for generations.
In Washington, Democrats criticised Trump for offering praise to Putin without securing commitments on Ukraine. Senator Chris Murphy said the president “cannot confuse personal rapport with concrete progress”, warning against “cosmetic diplomacy”.
Trump’s allies, however, argued that his direct engagement could open a path to reducing tensions.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the talks “showed leadership” and predicted further dialogue could “create conditions for peace”.
Putin has long sought to be treated as an equal power broker by the U.S., and the symbolism of an Alaska summit will be closely studied in Moscow.
Russian state media gave blanket coverage of the event, highlighting the red carpet reception and Trump’s warm words.
Kremlin analysts suggested Putin would now seek to leverage the meeting to bolster domestic support, presenting himself as a global statesman despite Western sanctions.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials expressed unease.
A senior aide to Zelensky told local media that “no peace deal can be signed over Ukraine’s head”, adding that Kyiv must be at the table in all negotiations.
Military analysts also cautioned that while dialogue could help reduce the risk of escalation, the absence of concrete steps made the Alaska summit more symbolic than substantive.
The Anchorage talks were the first direct encounter between Trump and Putin since 2019, when they met at a G20 summit in Japan during Trump’s previous term.
This time, the backdrop is far more perilous, with thousands dead in Ukraine, NATO enlargement continuing, and Western governments funnelling billions in arms to Kyiv.
Trump has repeatedly said he could end the war “quickly” if re-elected, though he has offered few details beyond suggesting both sides could make concessions. Critics argue that it could leave Ukraine vulnerable to territorial losses.
Putin, meanwhile, continues to demand recognition of Russia’s annexations in eastern Ukraine, a condition Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected.
The Anchorage meeting lasted more than two hours and covered a range of issues beyond Ukraine, including nuclear arms control and global energy markets. Both leaders agreed to keep channels of communication open.
Trump’s invitation for Putin to visit Washington is likely to spark debate at home. A White House official said the details of such a trip “remain under discussion,” and no timetable has been set.
If it goes ahead, it would mark the first Kremlin visit to the U.S. capital in more than two decades, a move certain to face political scrutiny in Congress.
As Air Force One departed Anchorage, Trump declared the summit a success, insisting that his “personal relationship” with Putin could help create momentum for peace.
But with Russian offensives ongoing and no ceasefire in sight, the Alaska meeting appeared more like a diplomatic opening act than a decisive turning point.
Ukraine’s allies will now be watching closely to see whether the dialogue evolves into substantive talks or remains a largely symbolic gesture between two world leaders.
For now, the war grinds on, leaving Europe and the wider world waiting for signs of real progress beyond handshakes and red carpets.
Editing by M10News International Desk | Contact: international@m10news.com
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