Anchorage, Alaska : Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine’s security “must be ensured,” but linked the commitment to addressing what he described as Russia’s “fundamental security concerns.”
Speaking at a joint press conference in Anchorage, Putin noted, “I agree with President Trump that the security of Ukraine must be secured, and of course, we are ready to work on that.” He expressed hope that an agreement reached during the talks, though not detailed, would “pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.”
Putin emphasized that the war in Ukraine could only end if “all the primary roots” of the conflict were addressed. He reiterated that Russia’s concerns about NATO expansion and what he termed “threats to Russia’s security” remain central to resolving the crisis.
“The situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security,” he said. “To reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and the world, naturally, Ukraine’s security must also be ensured.”
Although he stopped short of specifying what eliminating the “roots” of the conflict would entail, Putin has previously linked the phrase to demands Kyiv and its allies reject.
Following the summit, President Trump said he would brief NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I’m going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened,” Trump told reporters.
The leaders met for three hours, shorter than the six to seven hours Russian aides had anticipated. While both sides described the talks as “positive and constructive,” they offered no ceasefire, no specifics, and took no press questions.
Putin thanked Trump for what he called an “atmosphere of trust” during the discussions. “The key thing is that both parties were determined to achieve results,” he said, describing the talks as detailed and respectful.
Russian state media quoted Ambassador Alexander Darchiev as saying the meeting atmosphere was “generally positive.”
This was the first joint press conference Putin has held with a U.S. president since Helsinki in 2018. Unlike Joe Biden’s 2021 summit with Putin, which ended without a joint appearance, both leaders faced the media together in Alaska.
Trump and Putin concluded their closed-door session alongside senior advisers. Trump told Fox News he hoped for a ceasefire agreement, saying he “wouldn’t be thrilled” to leave without one. Putin, however, gave no such assurance.
As the leaders arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, U.S. Air Force F-22 fighters and B-2 stealth bombers flew overhead — a symbolic reminder of America’s military power as the two presidents attempted to negotiate peace.
