The Kremlin confirmed that negotiations between the US and Russian delegations in a “narrow format” concluded on Friday after lasting more than three hours, CNN reported.
The meeting, held between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, also included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among other senior officials.
Observers noted that the leaders had not moved to the scheduled expanded luncheon even after 90 minutes, a sign that Trump had not exercised his earlier warning to “walk” if discussions failed to progress.
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not present at the summit, the Russia-Ukraine conflict dominated the talks. Trump has indicated he plans to brief Zelenskyy and European leaders once the meeting concludes. His stated long-term goal is to bring Putin and Zelenskyy face-to-face for direct negotiations on ending the war.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested such a trilateral discussion could happen “almost immediately” if the Alaska talks proved productive. Zelenskyy, however, reiterated that Ukraine’s top demand remains a Russian commitment to a ceasefire, insisting that only then can meaningful peace negotiations begin.
European diplomats familiar with recent calls between Trump and EU leaders said the US president conveyed his intent to press Moscow on halting hostilities. Kyiv hopes today’s talks will lay the groundwork for a future three-way summit involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US.
“Everything concerning Ukraine must be discussed exclusively with Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said after his Wednesday conversation with Trump, calling for preparations toward a trilateral format.
