Trump and Putin make ‘progress’ but fail to secure Ukraine peace deal

The highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place today in Alaska. The talks lasted just three hours, and while the two leaders did not reach a final ceasefire agreement, both sides left the table with signs of progress.

The discussion centered on the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been devastating since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Joining Trump were Steve Witkoff and Senator Marco Rubio, while Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and senior adviser Yuri Ushakov.

For much of the war, Russia has shown little willingness to compromise. This meeting marked a shift, with Moscow agreeing to several key points—though not enough to finalize a ceasefire. Even so, many observers see this as a step forward after years of deadlock.

At the press conference afterward, Trump struck an optimistic tone. He stressed that meaningful headway had been made and even exchanged what seemed like friendly remarks with Putin, who suggested that the next round of talks could be held in Moscow.

Although the details of what was agreed upon remain undisclosed, Trump hinted that he plans to consult NATO leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the path forward. The fact that dialogue has opened at this level is being viewed by some as an encouraging sign, even if the road to peace remains long.