US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a high-profile summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday (August 15), but the much-anticipated talks ended without any breakthrough on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The two leaders met for about two and a half hours behind closed doors, joined by senior advisers, before appearing together at a joint press conference. The event, however, ended abruptly as neither leader took questions nor offered concrete details about the discussions.

The summit opened with warmth unusual for a meeting between Washington and Moscow, complete with a military flyover and a ceremonial welcome. Trump greeted Putin with a smile, a handshake, and even a short ride in the presidential limousine — a gesture underscoring the friendlier tone he sought to project.

Despite the optics, the outcome was inconclusive. Putin told reporters the two sides had reached an “understanding” on Ukraine, cautioning European nations not to “torpedo the nascent progress.” Trump, however, struck a more cautious note.

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he said, adding that he planned to consult Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders before any next steps.

The Russian president ended the press conference by inviting Trump to Moscow for further talks.

“Next time in Moscow,” Putin remarked, to which Trump replied, “That’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening.”

Later, in an interview with Fox News, Trump suggested the meeting had gone well, though it did not produce results. Asked about possible retaliatory tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, he said the issue was on hold for now.

“I don’t have to think about that right now,” Trump said. “Maybe in two or three weeks, but not right now.”

Meanwhile, a personal gesture by First Lady Melania Trump added a poignant layer to the summit. Trump hand-delivered a letter from his wife to Putin, which White House officials said focused on the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, including concerns over abductions during the ongoing conflict. Melania Trump, who did not attend the summit, urged humanitarian attention to the youngest victims of the war.

Trump emphasized that the responsibility for turning dialogue into a peace settlement now lay with Ukraine’s leadership.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” he said.

“And I would also say the European nations, they have to get involved a little bit, but it’s up to President Zelensky.”