International News: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Alaska in a rare and historic meeting. Their talks began around 1 AM IST on Saturday night and continued for more than two hours.
Positive Talks but No Full Agreement
After the meeting, Putin told reporters that his conversation with Trump was “good and constructive.” He said their main focus was on the war in Ukraine and that a lasting peace deal could only happen if the real causes of the conflict are solved. He stressed that Russia’s security will always remain his first priority.
Trump also addressed the media, saying that while he and Putin had a strong personal relationship, they could not agree on everything during the talks. He mentioned that “some issues remain unresolved” but still described the meeting as “meaningful.”
President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. ???? pic.twitter.com/WwYL3DsXLa
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 15, 2025Putin on Ukraine and U.S. Relations
Putin once again claimed that if Trump had been the U.S. president in 2022, the Ukraine war would never have begun. He thanked Trump for what he called a friendly and open exchange.
The Russian leader reminded everyone of Alaska’s past, when it was once Russian territory, and spoke about the cultural and religious ties that still exist. According to him, this shared history could help both countries move toward balanced and cooperative relations. He also suggested holding their next meeting in Moscow.
Trump’s Plans After the Summit
Trump said he would soon call NATO leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to share details of the discussion. He also described Putin as a “smart man” but warned that Russia would face “serious economic problems” if the war continues.
While Trump welcomed the idea of further meetings, he admitted that holding a summit in Moscow “might not be popular,” but he did not completely reject it.
Ukraine Not Part of the Meeting
Ukraine was not invited to the Alaska summit. Zelenskyy has made it clear that Kyiv will not hand over its land to Russia and has asked for strong security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe. Currently, Russia holds control over about 20 percent of Ukraine’s land.
Strong Reactions
Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton criticized the outcome, saying Putin gained more from the talks than Trump. According to him, Russia avoided any new commitments while managing to improve its diplomatic position.
A Historic Moment in Alaska
For the first time since World War II, a Russian leader stepped into a U.S. military base. Security was extremely tight, with hotels in Anchorage fully booked, flights rescheduled, and roads blocked. Both countries had senior ministers and advisors present during the talks.
Despite smiles, handshakes, and symbolic gestures, the meeting ended without a major breakthrough. Still, both leaders agreed to continue dialogue, raising the possibility of more talks in the future.
