ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The highly anticipated press conference between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has kicked off in Anchorage, Alaska.
Putin delivered the opening remarks – acting as the host, describing the negotiations as “held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect.”
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Speaking from Alaska, a “logical” location for the talks given the shared history between the two countries, Putin thanked Trump for proposing the summit.
He said the long-overdue personal meeting was the result of “serious and painstaking work” by officials from both sides, including multiple conversations with President Trump and visits to Russia by Special Envoy Witkof.
A central issue of the talks was the situation in Ukraine, Putin confirmed.
He praised the Trump administration and the President personally for their “sincere efforts to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict,” calling their desire “to get to the crux of the matter, to understand this history is precious.”
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Putin framed the conflict as a “tragedy” and a “terrible wound” for Russia, stressing that the Ukrainian nation and the Russian people share the “same roots.”
He reiterated that for a lasting settlement, it is necessary to “eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict” and “to consider all achievement concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole.”
He added that he and Trump had agreed on the need to ensure Ukraine’s security as well.
“Naturally, we are prepared to work on that,” Putin said, expressing hope that the agreements reached would “pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.”
Putin then expressed optimism about renewed cooperation with the United States, emphasizing the potential for improved bilateral relations across various sectors. He highlighted a recent 20% growth in bilateral trade, despite acknowledging its continued symbolic nature.
Putin underscored significant areas for joint work, including trade, digital technologies, high-tech industries, and space exploration. He also cited possibilities for Arctic cooperation, particularly between Russia’s forest regions and the US West Coast.
The Russian leader stressed the importance of both countries “turning the page” to re-engage in cooperative efforts.
Reflecting on his interaction with Trump, Putin characterized their discussions as “trustworthy” and “result-oriented.”
He noted that Trump possesses a “very clear idea of what he would like to achieve” and sincerely cares about his nation’s prosperity while understanding Russia’s national interests.
Putin conveyed his expectation that current agreements or discussions would not only address the “Ukrainian issue” but also help restore pragmatic relations between Russia and the US.
He recalled his efforts to prevent hostilities during his last contact with the previous US administration in 2022, stating he “tried to convince my previous American colleague that it should not the situation should not be brought to the point of no return.”
Confirming a strong rapport, Putin asserted his belief that a conflict would have been avoided had Trump been president in 2022.
He concluded by affirming a “very good business-like, trustworthy contact” with Trump, expressing confidence that their path together could lead to a swift resolution of the conflict.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information is available.
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