Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska On August 15, 2025, Donald Trump and Vladmir Putin decided to go sit down and talk about peace. Their top priority seemed to be ending the current war in Ukraine. That small meeting would turn out to be a dramatic turning point in relations between the U.S. and Russia. It would be Putin’s first visit to the United States in almost a decade. While Trump characterized the discussions as “productive,” concerns emerged regarding Ukraine’s absence from the negotiations, raising questions about the potential implications for the country’s sovereignty.
To their credit, the White House played down expectations, describing the gathering as a “listening exercise for the president.” Despite this characterization, both leaders expressed optimism. Trump stated, “One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there,” indicating a hopeful outlook on future negotiations. On his part, Putin described the talks as a “starting point,” a sign of openness to more talks.
Vladimir Putin offered a subsequent meeting in Moscow, showing that he is still willing to engage as long as the channels of communication are open. Related Russian media outlets welcomed the summit reaction. They were trying to spin it as a victory for Moscow, even with the ongoing explosions in their bilateral relations.
Looking back now, one of the smartest things Trump did was recognize how complex the situation was and how much that complexity complicated the situation. As he put it, “There ain’t no deal ‘til there’s a deal,” reflecting his trademark skepticism. In addition, he lauded Putin’s insights as “profound,” reflecting a level of respect for his counterpart’s perspective.
Both leaders acknowledged that it is a difficult time for U.S.-Russia relations. Putin admitted that it’s a “difficult period” for both countries. He highlighted the larger global geopolitical tensions that have developed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent peace talks that ensued.
Though no specific deals came out of the talks, both leaders seemed to leave room for new deals on the table. He hailed the military might of this “very big power,” as he called Russia in 2015. His comments indicated an understanding of the complexities of getting to a resolution.