Anchorage (Alaska): U.S. President Donald Trump described his assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska as “extraordinarily productive” and filled with “nice progress”. The 2 leaders met together with prime aides, together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff for Trump and Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov and overseas coverage aide Yury Ushakov for Putin.
In a break from custom, Russian President Putin opened the joint information convention whereas Trump seemed on. Putin acknowledged that US-Russia relations have suffered in recent times.
“It’s recognized that there have been no summits between Russia and america for 4 years, and that’s a very long time. This time was very onerous for bilateral relations. And allow us to be frank, they’ve fallen to the bottom level for the reason that Chilly Conflict. I feel that isn’t benefiting our nations and the world as an entire,” Putin mentioned, including, “A private assembly between the heads of state has been lengthy overdue.”
Trump described the talks as having “made some headway” and “nice progress” in a “improbable” assembly with Putin. “We had an especially productive assembly, and plenty of factors have been agreed to,” he mentioned.
He added, “We didn’t get there, however we’ve got an excellent probability of getting there. There isn’t a deal till there’s a deal.”
Trump mentioned he deliberate to name NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and different officers to temporary them on the discussions.
Putin emphasised that Ukraine’s safety have to be ensured. “I agree with President Trump that the safety of Ukraine have to be secured, and naturally, we’re able to work on that,” he mentioned.
He added, “I want to hope that the settlement that we’ve got reached collectively will assist us convey nearer that purpose and can pave the trail in direction of peace in Ukraine.”
The Russian president additionally highlighted that lasting peace requires addressing the foundation causes of the battle. “The state of affairs in Ukraine has to do with the basic threats to our safety,” he mentioned.
“We’re satisfied that so as to make the settlement lasting and long run, we have to remove all the first roots, main causes of that battle… and reinstate a simply steadiness of safety in Europe and on the planet on the entire,” he mentioned.
On the summit’s tone, Putin mentioned the negotiations have been “respectful, constructive and mutually respectful”, whereas thanking Trump for the invitation to Alaska.
He advised the subsequent assembly might happen in Moscow, a proposal Trump described as “an attention-grabbing one… however I might see it probably occurring”.
Putin urged Ukrainian and European leaders to not intrude with the progress made. “We anticipate that Kyiv and European capitals will understand all this in a constructive method and won’t create any obstacles, is not going to make makes an attempt to disrupt the rising progress by provocations and behind-the-scenes intrigues,” he mentioned.
Following the summit, former U.S. Nationwide Safety Adviser John Bolton weighed in, saying, “Trump didn’t lose, however Putin clearly received… Putin has gone a protracted approach to reestablishing the connection, which I at all times believed was his key purpose. Trump achieved little or no.”
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko highlighted that no ceasefire or de-escalation was agreed upon, including, “It appears that evidently Putin has gained extra time.”
Trump’s Alaska summit with Putin marked a high-profile effort to advance diplomacy, with the U.S. president emphasising progress and constructive engagement, whereas key particulars of any agreements stay intently held.