By Agencies and published by CNA
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska – United States President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin have concluded a high-risk summit that will test the US president’s promise to end the bloody war in Ukraine.
They held a short press conference, but did not take questions following their brief remarks.
Live reporting:
Trump says he may have to think about tariffs on Russian oil buyers “in 2 or 3 weeks'”
Trump said he will not have to think of retaliatory tariffs on countries buying Russian oil right now but may have to “in two or three weeks”.
“Well, because of what happened today, I think I don’t have to think about that,” Trump told Fox News after his meeting with Putin.
“Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don’t have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well.”
Putin, Zelenskyy to set up meeting: Trump
Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin were going to set up a meeting to try to reach a ceasefire to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Now, it’s really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done. And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit. But it’s up to President Zelenskyy … And if they’d like, I’ll be at that next meeting,” Trump told Fox News after meeting with Putin in Alaska.
“They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess.”
Trump says he and Putin spoke “very sincerely” in private
Trump said he and Putin spoke “very sincerely” after their post-meeting remarks in Alaska.
When asked if he and his Russian counterpart had alone time, Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity: “Yeah, I did. I did, actually, after our speeches. He made a very good speech, and I also finished it up.”
“And afterwards we spoke. Right after that, we spoke very sincerely. I think he wants to see it done.”
More Russia-US talks on the way
New consultations aimed at resolving points of tensions in bilateral relations between Russia and the United States will take place soon, Russia’s ambassador to the US said, according to RIA state news agency.
“Another round of consultations on normalisation – which we refer to as addressing irritants in bilateral relations – is expected to take place in the near future,” Alexander Darchiev said, RIA reported.
Putin on restoring “pragmatic relations” between US and Russia
Putin said he is expecting today’s agreements to become a reference point “not only for solving the Ukrainian problem”, but also launch the restoration of “business-like, pragmatic relations” between the two countries.
“It is obvious that Russian-American business and investment partnership has enormous potential. Russia and the United States have something to offer each other in trade, energy, the digital sphere, high tech and space exploration,” he said.
“Cooperation in the Arctic, resumption of interregional contacts, including between our Far East and the American West Coast, also seem relevant.”
He added that overall, Russia has established “very good business-like and trusting contact with President Trump”.
“I have every reason to believe that by moving along this path, we can – the quicker the better – reach an end to the conflict in Ukraine.”
Putin on ensuring Ukraine’s security
Putin said that he agreed with Trump – who also spoke about it today – that Ukraine’s security must be ensured.
And Russia is ready to work on that, he added.
“I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached will allow us to get closer to that goal and open the way to peace in Ukraine,” he said.
“We expect that Kyiv and the European capitals will perceive all of this in a constructive manner and will not create any obstacles. That they will not attempt to disrupt the emerging progress through provocation or behind-the-scenes intrigue.”
“Sincerely interested” in ending the war: Putin
Here’s a recap of what Putin said about Russia’s war with Ukraine.
He said Russia is “sincerely interested” in putting an end to the war but stressed that for a settlement to be sustainable, the root causes of the crisis must be eliminated.
He reiterated that from Russia’s perspective, the events in Ukraine are associated with fundamental threats to its national security.
“Moreover, we have always considered and consider the Ukrainian people, I have said this many times, brotherly, no matter how strange that may sound in today’s conditions,” added Putin.
“We have the same roots and everything that is happening for us is a tragedy and a great pain.”
“All of Russia’s legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored.”
CAPTIONS:
Top: Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by US President Donald Trump, speaks during a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. Photo: Getty Images/AFP/Andrew Harnik and published by CNA
First insert: Russian President Vladimir Putin glances back toward US President Donald Trump as they arrive for the joint press conference. Photo: AFP/Drew Angerer and published by CNA
Second insert: United States President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One upon his departure from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Aug. 15, 2025, following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque and published by CNA
Third insert: Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the graves of Soviet pilots at Fort Richardson National Cemetery near Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. Photo: Reuters/Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev and published by CNA
Front Page: US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. File photo: AP and published by Hindustan Times
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