Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Alaska on Friday to seek a way to peace in Ukraine, with discussions ranging from a potential ceasefire to the possibility of a future meeting in Moscow. The summit, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, saw Trump extend an unusually warm welcome to the Russian leader, with a red-carpet reception, a handshake, smiles, and even a short ride together in the presidential limousine, “The Beast.” The display of friendliness underscored the personal rapport between the two leaders, even as they tackled one of the most pressing global crises: Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Putin Invites Trump To Moscow

At a joint press conference following their negotiations, Putin surprised onlookers by inviting Trump to visit Russia. In English, the Russian president said, "Next time in Moscow." Trump, clearly smirking, said, "Oh, that's a good one. I'll take a little heat on that one, but I could see it happening maybe." The exchange immediately sparked speculation about whether Trump, who has long claimed himself as a dealmaker, might consider taking the sensitive step of visiting Moscow at a time when Western leaders remain wary of direct engagement with the Kremlin.

Trump Suggests Zelenskiy-Putin Meeting

Trump indicated that one of the results of the Alaska summit was a proposal to organise a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Putin, possibly with Trump himself present. Now, it's really his to get it done. And I would say the European countries, they have to step in a little bit. But it's his to do," Trump said to Fox News' Sean Hannity following the summit. "They're going to organize a meeting now between President Zelenskiy and President Putin and myself, I suppose. Trump asserted that Kyiv would eventually have to make hard decisions. "Gotta make a deal. Look, Russia is a very big power, and they're not. They're great soldiers," he said, in comments sure to cause concern in Ukraine and among European allies worried about pressure on Kyiv to concede.

Although despite of peace talk speculations, the Alaska talks broke up without a ceasefire accord. Trump had stated prior to the summit that he perceived there was a "25 percent chance" the summit might collapse, but maintained that progress was made in keeping lines of communication open. Both leaders sidestepped specifics at their news conference, though Trump reaffirmed his readiness to press for an instant ceasefire and signaled potential US security assurances for Ukraine, beyond Ukraine joining NATO, which Putin has strongly resisted. For Putin, the summit was a chance to reaffirm Russia's world position and assert pressure for Moscow's territorial gains to be legitimised, while also signaling opposition to Ukraine's NATO aspirations.

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Worries In Kyiv And Europe

The warm optics of the summit, coupled with Zelenskiy’s exclusion from the talks, have raised concerns among European leaders and in Kyiv. President Zelenskiy, sidelined from the Alaska discussions, released a video statement urging Washington to hold a strong line. "Everyone is looking for a genuine conclusion to the war. Ukraine is eager to work as efficiently as possible to bring the war to a conclusion," he stated. "The war goes on exactly because there are no signals coming from Moscow that it is ready to conclude this war."

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Though there was no breakthrough, both Trump and Putin expressed openness to further talks. The speculation about a follow-up meeting in Moscow has brought a dramatic element, but it is unclear if Trump would take such a politically dangerous move. With the war going on and Ukraine under mounting pressure, the Alaska summit highlighted the potential and risks of Trump's showy diplomacy. For the time being, the world watches to see if the possibility of a Zelenskiy-Putin-Trump summit becomes a reality — or if the war remains stuck.