The meeting between President Trump and President Putin just ended about two hours ago (2:15 pm Alaska time, Friday 15th August, our time around 6:15 am Saturday 16th August 2025).
Many points were discussed in their three hour meeting. No conclusions were arrived at but both presidents have agreed to meet again. Here are some snippets:
- Trump concluded the joint statement by thanking Putin, calling him "Vladimir".
- "We'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon," he said.
- Putin responded in English: "Next time in Moscow."
- "I've always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin. Vladimir," Trump says, switching to the president's first name.
- He calls their meeting "extremely productive," but adds that some things are still to be decided.
- But we have a "very good chance" of further progress, he says.
- There's no deal until there's a deal, says Trump
- Donald Trump says he and Putin had a productive meeting and that they made "some headway".
- He says he will call Nato allies and others, including Ukraine's Zelensky. He says a deal is "ultimately" up to them and they will have to agree.
- There's no deal until there's a deal, he says, adding that "great progress" was made but "we didn't get there".
- Putin says that he hopes the Ukrainians and Europeans choose to "not throw a wrench in" the peace process.
- "I would like to thank Trump for the well-wishing tone," says Putin, adding that "both sides should be results oriented".
- "Trump clearly cares about the prosperity of his nation. But understands Russia has its own interests," he says.
- Putin says to end Ukraine war 'primary causes' must be eliminated
- The central issue of their discussion was the Ukraine conflict, Putin says.
- He adds that in order to make a "settlement lasting and long-term we need to eliminate the primary causes of the conflict".
My Comments:
There was a brief joint statement by both the presidents. But they did not answer any questions from the Press. The body language was good. But I think Mr Putin stood his ground. Clearly Mr Trump has little direct stake in the Ukraine situation other than thousands are getting killed. No American troops are involved on the ground and Ukraine does not directly threaten the US. Since the Ukraine war started and the sanctions against Russia kicked in America does make plenty of money selling natural gas to Europe.
Mr Putin clearly said the next meeting will be in Moscow. Meaning he is hoping for a second meeting with President Trump. How soon that will be is anyone's guess - for now.
The US has little skin in the game - but they have a lot of say in Europe. NATO is at their command. Russia holds the ground in Ukraine which gives them plenty of leverage over the EU and Ukraine. But the question is what leverage does Russia have over President Trump? He really has no skin in the game.
Mr Putin has a military option - Russia can overrun all of Ukraine. From a purely military point of view that looks like the best option for a longer lasting peace. But there are high costs involved - continued sanctions by the West, resistance to any Russian occupation etc. But it will also cause a serious loss of face and loss of faith in Nato, the EU and the US.
The easier option for everyone is to negotiate a peace.
