Tune in to NewsNation to watch live coverage from Alaska of the summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (NewsNation) — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday they made significant progress toward resolving the Ukraine conflict during hours of meetings in Alaska, but they acknowledged no deal was reached.
“There is no deal until there is a deal,” Trump told reporters at a joint news conference following the talks. “We really made some great progress. We had an extremely productive meeting.”
The leaders met for several hours with their respective delegations in what was billed as a summit to address Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The talks included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff on the American side.
Putin invites Trump to Moscow for next talks
Putin, speaking first in Russian, described U.S.-Russia relations over the past four years as hitting “the lowest point since the Cold War” and called the meeting between the leaders “overdue.” He characterized the Ukraine situation as “brotherly” and said Russia was interested in “putting an end” to it.
“We need to eliminate the primary causes” of the conflict, Putin said through a translator. He added that “an understanding has been reached” and expressed hope that “today’s agreement will be the starting point for the Ukraine situation.”
Trump indicated that significant hurdles remain, saying there were “still a few points of disagreement, including one major one.” He emphasized that Europe and Ukraine would need to agree to whatever the two presidents discussed.
Putin endorsed Trump’s repeated claim that the war would not have occurred under his leadership, saying he could “confirm that” Trump’s presidency would have prevented the conflict. The Russian leader praised what he called the “trustworthy” tone of their conversations.
Trump: Will tell Zelenskyy about Putin talks
At the conclusion of the brief news conference, Putin suggested in English that their next meeting take place “in Moscow,” prompting Trump to respond that he would “get a little heat on that one.”
The leaders left without taking questions from reporters after delivering statements in front of a backdrop reading “Pursuing Peace.”
Trump said he planned to call NATO officials, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to brief them on the meeting’s outcomes.
Earlier Friday, the presidents greeted one another on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a U.S. military installation located roughly equidistant — about 4,300 miles — from Moscow and Washington, D.C., marking the first time Putin has stepped on U.S. soil in nearly 10 years.
The two leaders smiled in front of the assembled media before getting into “the Beast,” sitting side-by-side in the back seat en route to the meeting site.
Trump also greeted Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan aboard Air Force One, according to the White House.
White House: ‘The goal is always peace’
The White House’s official X account shared a black and white image of Trump and Putin accompanied by the caption “The goal is always peace.”
Putin visits graves in Alaska
Putin visited the graves of Soviet soldiers while in Alaska for his talks with Trump. He laid flowers at Fort Richardson Memorial Cemetery, the resting place of Soviet pilots and sailors who delivered equipment in World War Two, according to The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Schumer’s concerns over Trump-Putin meeting
“Our fear is that the Trump-Putin meeting wasn’t diplomacy—it was just theater,’ Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote on X on Friday night.
Putin’s envoy says Alaska summit was ‘definitely productive’
Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for investment and economic cooperation who was part of the Russian delegation in Alaska, described the summit as “definitely productive” in comments after the talks, shared with The Associated Press by his spokesperson.
Dmitriev said there were “lots of issues that we discussed” and “many” agreed upon, with more “to be agreed” upon in the future, although he didn’t offer any details as to what issues he was referring to.
“It’s very important that President Trump outlined a significant economic potential of cooperation between the U.S. and Russia, and we will continue building U.S.-Russia relations going forward, despite lots of resistance to this,” Dmitriev said.
Trump greeted Putin as B-2 stealth bombers flew over in Alaska
B-2 stealth bombers flew over as President Donald Trump greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska before their peace talks took place.
Cheung pushed back on reports that Trump was steamrolled
“President Trump is the only leader in this world who is actively pursuing peace around the globe. He’s ended seven wars already, and many more will follow,” Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said. Cheung also pushed back on reports that Trump was steamrolled by Putin during their meeting.
Vladimir Putin ‘not ready for peace’ despite Trump talks: Evelyn Farkas
Evelyn Farkas, former deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russia and Ukraine under former President Barack Obama, joins “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” to discuss President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s news conference following peace talks in Alaska. #russia #ukraine #trump
Sister of American imprisoned in Russia hopes Trump-Putin summit helps win release
American David Barnes is serving 21 years in a Russian prison in deplorable conditions, his family says, but they have new hope after Friday’s meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “That’s our hope, that maybe this summit will lead to better relations between Russia and the United States and that there will be a breakthrough in prisoner releases,” Barnes’ sister, Margaret Aron, tells NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas.
Trump ‘owned the moment’ with B-2 stealth bomber flyover at Putin summit
President Donald Trump “held the cards” as he greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac for Ukraine war peace talks in Alaska with a B-2 stealth bomber flyover, according to NewsNation’s Leland Vittert. Putin seemed “rattled” but it didn’t get Trump the ceasefire deal he wanted, Vittert says.
Trump departs Alaska after summit with Putin
President Trump is heading back to the White House.
Pro-Ukraine protesters gather in Anchorage
Pro-Ukrainian protesters gathered in Anchorage, Alaska, as US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Groups lined a street in Anchorage around noon on Friday, with demonstrators holding Ukraine flags and anti-Putin signs.
A large banner being held up by demonstrators in the middle of the protest reads, “Ukraine and Alaska – Russian never again!”
Putin departs Alaska after summit with Trump
President Putin is leaving the United States heading back to Moscow.
It is still unclear what the two leaders agreed on.
Trump-Putin peace talks leave ‘many questions’ unanswered
NewsNation White House correspondent Kellie Meyer reports live from Anchorage, Alaska, following a news conference between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. NewsNation foreign correspondent Robert Sherman also reports live from Kyiv, Ukraine, with an on-the-ground perspective.
Putin ‘obsequious,’ Trump low-energy at joint news conference: Analysis
“On Balance” host Leland Vittert says Russian President Vladimir Putin “rolled over” at his joint appearance Friday with President Trump after the two met in Alaska to discuss potential peace in Ukraine. Chris Stirewalt, anchor of “The Hill Sunday,” thought Trump’s “low-energy” vibe was perhaps more surprising. “That was a very unusual performance by both of those men,” he tells NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas.
‘No substance to statements’: Vittert
Trump and Putin did not take questions during the press conference after their historic peace talks. NewsNation’s Leland Vittert talks about what the deal between the two leaders could mean.
Putin invites Trump to Moscow
At the end of the Friday joint press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin floated hosting a second meeting with Trump and in Moscow.
The president responded, stating he would “get a little heat on that one.”
“Thank you very much Vladimir,” Trump said.
‘There’s no deal until there’s a deal’: Trump
“There is no deal until there is a deal,” President Trump said after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Europe and Ukraine will need to agree to what the two leaders discussed, calling the talks “extremely productive” and saying they made “great progress” despite not reaching an agreement. He noted there are still a few points of disagreement, including one major issue.
Putin, speaking in English, said, “Next time in Moscow.” The leaders left the room without taking questions.
Putin says an ‘understanding’ has been reached
Putin said the last four years have been difficult for U.S.-Russia relations, calling them the lowest since the Cold War, and described the meeting as overdue.
He called the conflict a “brotherly” situation, said Russia is interested in “putting an end” to it and emphasized the need to “eliminate the primary causes.”
Putin says an ‘understanding’ has been reached.
“It is very important for our countries to turn the page” to go back to cooperation, speaking of the US and Russia, Putin said.
Putin thanks Trump for the “trustworthy” tone of the conversations.
Putin said he hopes “today’s agreement will be the starting point for the Ukraine situation” and other issues.
“Trump says if he was president back then, there would be no war… and I can confirm that,” Putin said.
Trump-Putin peace talks summit news conference
President Trump gives an update on peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after summit in Alaska to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine
High-stakes meeting concluded
Trump and Putin have ended their three-on-three talk after about 2 1/2 hours. They met behind closed doors with top advisers.
Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov
Trump, Putin ride together in ‘The Beast’
A large “Alaska 2025” sign, flanked by four parked fighter jets and red carpets, was placed on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for the leaders’ arrival. Trump and Putin have shared closely watched handshakes before— but the one they are expected to have Friday will be as scrutinized as any, as will any body language or hints about how each is feeling.
Both leaders got into the back seat of Trump’s armored presidential limousine, chatting with each other and smiling as they got situated.
High-stakes meeting underway
As of 5:25 p.m. ET, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were still meeting behind closed doors with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his delegation, White House senior adviser Dan Scavino posted on X. It is unclear when the expanded meeting with five members from each delegation will begin.
Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov
Trump says he won’t be ‘happy’ if Putin summit talks fail
President Donald Trump spoke with reporters en route to Alaska Friday before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The high-stakes meeting could determine whether Putin is ready to move towards peace with Ukraine. “I’m in this to stop the killing,” Trump said. “I think something’s gonna come of it.” Despite there being a “respect level” on both sides, Trump says Russia will face “economically severe” consequences if he doesn’t think Putin is serious about a peace deal.
Trump-Putin meeting is now 3-on-3 with Rubio and Witkoff
The planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin was expanded to a three-on-three, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov
For the larger bilateral meeting and lunch, Rubio, Witkoff, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chief of staff Susie Wiles will participate.
Trump-Putin meeting ‘optics are terrible’: George Will
NewsNation senior political contributor George Will says Russian President Vladimir Putin gained a “tremendous victory” just by landing on U.S. soil and greeting President Donald Trump, ending his global isolation since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Trump, Putin shake hands in Alaska as summit begins
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shook hands as both leaders deboarded their planes Friday in Alaska. The pair are meeting to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and a potential deal for peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders were not invited to the summit.
What are Trump and Putin’s motives for Alaska summit?
Trump has doubled down on the economic consequences Russia could face if Putin doesn’t agree to a deal at Friday’s high-stakes summit in Alaska.
“It will be very severe. I’m not doing this for my health, okay? I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country. But I’m doing this to save a lot of lives,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he left for the face-to-face talks in Anchorage.
Trump has expressed uncertainty about whether the summit will lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine. On Thursday, he said there is a “25% chance” the meeting won’t be successful.
Watch: Air sirens in Ukraine as Trump heads to summit
As Air Force One departed Washington, D.C., on Friday, air raid sirens began ringing out in Ukraine as Russia carried out eleventh-hour attacks.
Land swaps will ‘be discussed’: Trump
Although Ukraine is on the outside looking in for Friday’s talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated the U.S. must not reward Russia for its invasion of Ukraine — and emphasized his country will not part ways with any territory.
Trump confirmed to reporters that he and Putin will broach the possibility of land swaps, but no decisions will be made without Zelenskyy.
“They’ll be discussed, but 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,” Trump said Friday. “I’m here to get them at the table.”
Zelenskyy: Trump-Putin meeting should lead to trilateral summit
Ahead of the meeting in Alaska, Zelenskyy said he was expecting an intelligence report on Putin’s intentions for the summit.
“The key thing is that this meeting should open up a real path toward a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format — Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian side,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
He added that it’s “time to end the war.”
Previously, Zelenskyy has expressed fears that Putin is attempting to deceive Trump and is using the trip as a photo-op. In the lead-up to Friday’s peace talks, Putin and other Russian officials have maintained their demands, which include Ukraine ceding territory and demilitarizing.