President Donald Trump expressed optimism following a high-stakes summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a social media post, Trump described the meeting as “very successful,” highlighting discussions with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and several European leaders, including NATO’s Secretary General.

Trump revealed that all parties agreed the best way to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war is through a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. He added that President Zelenskyy is expected to visit the White House soon, and if progress continues, a future meeting with Putin in Washington may be arranged.

The former president concluded his post by stressing the potential to save millions of lives if peace is achieved. Trump has been attempting to end the war since before taking office but has so far failed to yield results. However, his latest remarks suggest a shift toward possible resolution.

During a joint press conference, Putin echoed Trump’s longstanding claim that the war would not have begun had Trump won the 2020 election. Putin supported this view, saying he warned the previous U.S. administration in 2022 not to escalate the situation toward open conflict.

Putin also criticized the breakdown of U.S.-Russia relations under prior administrations, calling it the worst since the Cold War. He emphasized the need to move past confrontation and toward dialogue. The Russian leader expressed hope that renewed diplomacy under Trump could improve global stability.

Lastly, Putin praised Trump for his efforts to understand the historical roots of the war, calling Trump’s commitment “precious.” He stated that their relationship is built on trust and mutual respect, and expressed confidence that continued collaboration could help end the conflict in Ukraine.