US President Donald Trump characterized his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, as “warm” and hinted that progress has been made toward resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The summit, which lasted over three hours on Friday, focused primarily on de-escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, according to Trump’s interview with Fox News. “We agree on a lot,” the US president stated, describing Putin as a “strong guy” and awarding the talks a perfect score of ten.
While expressing optimism about a potential resolution, Trump emphasized that any peace deal would require Ukraine’s consent. “We’re pretty close to the end [of the conflict], but Ukraine has to agree,” he said, declining to specify details of the discussions. He acknowledged unresolved issues but suggested confidence in overcoming them: “There’s one or two significant items… but they can be reached.” The US leader also reiterated his longstanding rapport with Putin, praising Russia’s natural resources and asserting that the two nations could have achieved “great things” collaboratively.
Putin echoed the positive tone, labeling the discussions “constructive” and “useful,” and affirming Russia’s “sincere interest in ending the hostilities.” The Russian president proposed holding their next meeting in Moscow, with Trump responding that he could “see it possibly happening.”
The summit marks the latest effort by both leaders to address a years-long conflict that has strained international relations, though specifics on potential compromises remain unclear. Analysts note that Kyiv’s role in finalizing any agreement will be critical, given Ukraine’s sovereignty concerns and historical tensions with Moscow. The prospect of further talks underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts, even as global observers await concrete steps toward peace.
The meeting arrives amid heightened scrutiny of US-Russia relations, with critics questioning the balance between dialogue and geopolitical accountability. Both leaders, however, emphasized mutual respect and shared objectives, signaling a willingness to sustain communication despite broader complexities. As discussions continue, the international community watches for tangible outcomes that could ease one of Europe’s most protracted conflicts.
