Trump and Putin conclude talks on Ukraine touting progress, but no breakthrough
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday after a day of talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin touted progress toward ending Russia's war in Ukraine on Friday, but they did not announce any steps to reach a ceasefire after their high-stakes summit.
Trump said the two leaders "made some headway" during several hours of talks, but told reporters that there "was no deal until there's a deal."
Trump said there were a few sticking points to resolve, though he gave no details about what they were.
"Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant," he said. "We have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there."
He said his next steps would be reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as NATO and European leaders.
In an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity after the summit, Trump said he would urge Zelenskyy to "make the deal" and said he hopes for a follow-up meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
"Now, it's really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done," Trump said. "And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit."
President Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption
The summit started with a dramatic entrance. The two leaders flew into Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, met each other on a red carpet, with U.S. fighter jets flying overhead. After a few hours of talks, they gave statements in front of a banner reading "Pursuing Peace," but they did not take questions from reporters.
Putin spoke first, referencing an agreement, but providing no details. He said he was "sincerely interested" in ending his war with Ukraine. But to settle the conflict, Putin said the "primary roots" of the conflict and the "legitimate concerns" for Russia had to be considered.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for talks with President Trump. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption
"I would like to hope that the agreement that we've reached together will help us bring closer to that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine," Putin said, through an interpreter. "We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won't throw a wrench in the works."
Trump said Putin had presented him with a "book" showing thousands of prisoners that would be released in the event of a deal with Ukraine — and another book of pictures of people killed in the war.
Trump this week had warned of "severe consequences" for Putin if progress was not made on ending the war — but did not reference sanctions during his brief remarks. Afterward, he told Fox News "I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now."
Trump told Hannity that he was pleased with Putin's comment that he would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump had been president instead of Joe Biden — a remark that echoed something Trump himself often says when he criticizes his predecessor.
Trump said rated the meeting overall as a 10 out of 10 because it showed the two superpowers getting along.
When Trump concluded his remarks, he told Putin, "We'll speak to you very soon." Putin responded – speaking in English: "Next time in Moscow."
"Oh, that's an interesting one," Trump said. "I don't know. I'll get a little heat on that one. But I can see it possibly happening."
Protesters hold up Ukrainian flags outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as Trump and Putin met in Anchorage. Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP via Getty Images hide caption