Overview

• Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska on August 15 for negotiations aimed at a Ukraine ceasefire but left without a signed agreement.
• A planned joint press Q&A never occurred, and Putin spoke first in Russian on U.S. soil, forcing reporters to scramble for headsets.
• On-site journalists, including Jacqui Heinrich, criticized the atmosphere as awkward and said Putin “steamrolled” Trump and took the preferred photo opportunity.
• Divergent public statements followed: Trump insisted “no deal until there’s a deal” while Putin claimed an “understanding,” underscoring unresolved differences.
• The White House announced plans to engage President Zelenskyy and European allies on follow-up talks even as fighting continues on the ground.