Anchorage — U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for nearly three hours on Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, in what both leaders described as a constructive and useful summit. While no formal agreement was reached to end the war in Ukraine, the tone was markedly positive, with Trump calling the meeting “10 out of 10” and Putin praising the talks as “sincere” and “useful.”

The summit carried heavy symbolism from the start. Putin was greeted with a red carpet, a military flyover that included F-22 fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber, and a handshake from Trump on the tarmac. In a move seen as a show of trust, Putin even joined Trump in the presidential limousine. Critics later argued the ceremony gave Moscow too much legitimacy, but Trump brushed it off as “good diplomacy.”

After the meeting, the two leaders stood together at a joint press conference — a signal that the talks had gone well, since Trump had warned earlier he would appear alone if the discussions were unproductive. Speaking to reporters, Trump said “many points were agreed to” and that there is a “very good chance” of securing a ceasefire, though he stressed that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.” He noted that ultimate responsibility lies with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and emphasized that European countries also need to play a role.

When asked what advice he would give to Zelenskyy, Trump replied simply: “Make the deal.” He said he was ready to mediate direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders and would be open to attending a trilateral meeting. “If they’d like, I’ll be at that meeting,” Trump said. “Not that I want to be there, but I want to make sure it gets done.” He confirmed that preparations are already underway for Zelenskyy to meet him and Putin, though he cautioned that significant sticking points remain with Moscow.

Putin echoed Trump’s optimism, saying Russia was “sincerely interested in putting an end” to the conflict. He urged Kyiv and its allies to build on the progress made in Anchorage and not undermine it. Both leaders avoided detailing the “significant” differences that remain, but their joint appearance suggested that channels for future diplomacy have opened.

The delegations underscored the importance of the meeting. Putin was accompanied by senior officials including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, and presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, a central figure in past settlement efforts. Trump brought Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Despite the positive atmosphere, critics in Washington and European capitals raised concerns. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the welcome for Putin as “political theater,” and European diplomats expressed unease that the summit might embolden Moscow without concrete commitments. Still, supporters of Trump argued the talks marked the most serious effort in years to break the stalemate in Ukraine.

For now, the spotlight shifts to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who is expected to travel to Washington for follow-up discussions after a lengthy phone call with Trump. Markets reacted calmly, reading the absence of new sanctions or escalatory measures as a stabilizing factor. While the Anchorage summit stopped short of a breakthrough, it may serve as a foundation for future negotiations.

In the end, the meeting was more spectacle than settlement, but it brought both Washington and Moscow closer to the possibility of peace. As Trump put it, “We have a pretty good chance of getting it done.”