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President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday wrapped an ‘extremely productive’ summit aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, though what the next steps are remain unclear.
Putin, who spoke first in a joint press conference held by the two world leaders, described the talks as a “constructive atmosphere of mutual respect.”
The talks wrapped after just three hours, well over an hour short of original estimates and more than three hours shorter than the Kremlin believed the discussions would take.
TRUMP SAYS HE ‘WON’T BE HAPPY’ IF PUTIN DOES NOT AGREE TO A CEASEFIRE IN UKRAINE DURING ALASKA SUMMIT
“Today’s agreement will be the starting point not only for the solution in Ukraine, but will also help us bring back business…between Russia and the U.S.,” Putin said.
Putin described the nation of Ukraine as a “brotherly nation” but continued to say that the “primary roots” of the conflict need to be “eliminated” – terminology he has previously used to justify his illegal 2022 invasion.
Trump then described the summit as “extremely productive” and said “many points were agreed to.
But he also said the sides are “not there yet” in advancing a peace deal.
Check back on this developing story.