Putin Backs Trump’s Claim on Ukraine After Alaska Talks — No Ceasefire Deal Announced

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Aug. 16, 2025: At a joint appearance after their Alaska summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the full-scale war against Ukraine would not have begun if Donald Trump had been U.S. president in 2022, aligning with Trump’s longstanding assertion. Putin added that any path to peace must address the “root causes” of the conflict.

The leaders met for nearly three hours at a military base in Anchorage but announced no truce or formal agreement. Trump described the talks as “very productive” and said pursuing a comprehensive peace agreement—not a ceasefire—was the preferred route, yet no timeline or framework was unveiled.

Coverage of the tightly managed press event noted that neither leader took questions and that Ukraine remained central but unresolved. Putin reiterated that Ukraine’s security “must be ensured,” while pressing his view of underlying grievances; observers said the meeting produced symbolism more than substance.

Trump is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday for follow-on talks.