Trump and Putin Hold Landmark Alaska Summit on Ukraine Conflict with No Ceasefire Agreement
Anchorage, Alaska — On August 15, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for a highly anticipated summit focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to public office. Aimed primarily at discussing a ceasefire and potential peace negotiations, the meeting lasted over two and a half hours but concluded without a formal agreement on ending hostilities.
Details of the Summit
The discussions took place in a military setting, were initially planned as a one-on-one meeting but expanded to include three representatives from each side. Joining President Trump were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Stevekoff, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accompanied Putin. The summit continued beyond initial talks into working lunch negotiations and culminated in a joint press conference.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the summit lasted between six and seven hours in total, including extended personal and delegation-level conversations. Despite the lengthy talks, both leaders stopped short of announcing a ceasefire deal, describing their dialogue as making “great progress” without providing specific terms.
Key Statements from Trump
<pSpeaking to reporters before the meeting, Trump emphasized that any decisions on territorial issues such as potential land swaps would ultimately rest with Ukraine. He stated, "I've got to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they'll make a proper decision. But I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I'm here to get them at a table."
Trump indicated his hope that the Alaska summit could pave the way for a second meeting including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and possibly European leaders. “The more important meeting will be the second meeting that we’re having,” Trump said, implying a multilateral approach to conflict resolution might follow.
Notable Absences and International Reactions
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders were absent from the Alaska discussions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had earlier stressed that any peace agreement must involve Kyiv and begin with an immediate ceasefire, underscoring European concerns over being sidelined in direct talks.
In Anchorage, several hundred demonstrators gathered to show support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, although protests at the military base itself were limited. The summit highlighted tensions between inclusive international diplomacy and bilateral negotiations conducted exclusively by the United States and Russia.
Next Steps
Following the summit, both presidents held a joint press briefing reinforcing their commitment to further dialogue but maintaining a cautious tone on concrete outcomes. Trump indicated plans to call Zelenskyy soon to discuss the next phases of peace talks.
While no immediate ceasefire agreement was reached, observers note that the summit represents a significant diplomatic engagement amid a war now stretching into its third year. The involvement of high-level diplomats and extended discussions suggest a continuing process rather than a quick resolution.
The world now watches closely for developments stemming from these talks and whether they can contribute to a durable peace in Ukraine.