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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a "very productive" meeting in Alaska on Friday with the two leaders seeking a way to end the Ukraine conflict. Trump, however, said that he and Putin did not reach an agreement to resolve Moscow's war in Ukraine after a nearly three-hour summit. The crucial meeting between the two leaders focused on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a war that has left thousands of people dead since it began in February 2022.
"We had a very productive meeting, there were many points that we agreed on. Couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there but we made some headway," Trump said as he addressed a joint press conference with Putin after the high-stakes meeting.
No breakthrough on Ukraine at Trump-Putin summit
The US President said that "there is no deal until there is a deal", signaling that meeting with Putin concluded without an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also said that he would speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and apprise him about the meeting.
"There is no deal until there is a deal so I will call up NATO in a little while, and I will call up the various people that are appropriate. I will of course call President Zelenskyy and tell him about today's meeting... We made some great progress today... We will probably speak to you soon and hopefully see you again very soon," he added.
Trump put the onus on Zelensky to build on the Alaska summit and finalise a deal to end Russia's three-year invasion. In an interview to Fox News, Trump also suggested a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, which he might also attend. He, however, did not share further details on when it might take place.
Talks with Trump thorough and useful: Putin
Meanwhile, Putin described the meeting with Trump as "thorough and useful" and asserted that Russia was "sincerely interested in putting an end" to the conflict in Ukraine but flagged "legitimate concerns" to be taken into account. He said the negotiations took place in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere and that the talks would possibly "pave the path towards peace in Ukraine".
"They were very thorough and useful. I would like to hope that the understanding we have reached together will help us bring closer that goal and pave the way for peace in Ukraine," Putin, who was the first to address the media, said.
"The situation in Ukraine poses a fundamental threat to our security... At the same time, we are convinced that in order to make the settlement lasting and long-term, we need to eliminate all the primary causes of the conflict. I agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to welcome that," he added.
The Russian President further said that there would have been no Russia-Ukraine war, if Trump was at helm in 2022. "Today, when President Trump says had he been the President back then, there would have been no war, and I am quite sure it would indeed be so," he added.
