Days after meeting Putin, Donald Trump says ‘big progress’ made on Russia

The remark from the US President comes a day ahead of his meeting with Ukraine President Zelensky and European leaders in Washington DC over ending Ukraine war.

Updated on: Aug 17, 2025, 22:15:26 IST

By HT News Desk

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Days after meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that “big progress” has been made regarding Russia.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, US, August 15, 2025. (Reuters)

"BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without giving any further details.

Trump met Russian President Putin on Friday at an air base in Alaska. The meeting between the two leaders lasted for over three hours. This was the first instance when Putin was allowed on Western soil since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

While no concrete announcement was made during the summit, both Trump and Putin had offered warm words about their interaction.

Earlier today, special US envoy Steve Witkoff said Trump and his Russian counterpart Putin agreed to "robust security guarantees" for Ukraine during their high-stakes summit.

Also Read | ‘Both will have to make concessions’: Marco Rubio on Ukraine-Russia peace deal

"We agreed to robust security guarantees that I would describe as game-changing," Steve Witkoff told CNN.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Trump and Putin discussed proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine ceding a swathe of fortified land in the east and freezing the front lines elsewhere.

Also Read | How will the war in Ukraine end? Two scenarios

European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, seeking to bolster him as the U.S. president presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace deal after Trump's meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Zelensky, European leaders to visit Washington

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders will meet Trump in Washington on Monday.

Among those joining Zelensky will be French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed that, on Zelenskyy's request, she will join the meeting with Trump and other European leaders.

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HT News Desk
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