U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. The venue was Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The summit was the first time Putin visited U.S. soil for talks since 2015 and the first since 1988 between both countries on U.S. territory. The main topic of the summit was the Russia–Ukraine war and the possibility of a ceasefire.
Trump said no ceasefire agreement was reached. He said now it is up to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to take action. Putin said an “understanding” was reached and warned European powers not to block progress. Neither leader took questions from the press after the meeting. They described the atmosphere of their talks as constructive and respectful. They skipped the planned lunch with senior officials and ended the meeting early. Thousands of protesters gathered in Anchorage that day. Many supporters of Ukraine marched with a 136-foot Ukrainian flag. Some rallies also supported Trump and hoped the talks would lead to peace. European leaders praised the U.S. effort but insisted that Ukraine must be included in all future talks. Some observers said the summit avoided the worst outcomes, but diplomatic relief may be premature.