President Donald Trump released a video on Truth Social praising Russian President Vladimir Putin a day after failing to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The video features somber music and clips of their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, showing both leaders arriving, shaking hands, and walking in slow motion. American flags appear throughout the montage.
Trump recorded a voice-over for the video, beginning with, “I would like to thank President Putin and his entire team.” The clip then cuts to footage from their joint press conference.
At the press conference, Trump claimed he and Putin would stop “thousands” of people from being killed. The Guardian reported his remarks but did not confirm any new agreements.
Trump closes the video saying, “We will speak to you very soon and will probably see you again very soon,” emphasizing future contact with the Russian leader.
In a subsequent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump described the meeting as a “10 out of 10 success.” He blamed former President Joe Biden for the talks not going better.
Trump also said Putin “respects our country now” under his leadership, contrasting it with Biden’s term. He suggested the Russian war in Ukraine “would have never happened” with his administration in power.
Trump laid responsibility for achieving a ceasefire on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He added that European nations “have to get involved a little bit” and offered to attend any future meetings.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, prompting international condemnation and sanctions on Moscow.
Observers noted that Trump’s public praise of Putin comes after a summit that produced no ceasefire deal. Analysts described the video as unusually deferential, emphasizing personal admiration.
During the Anchorage summit, Trump and Putin met for several hours. They discussed the Ukraine war but did not release a joint statement confirming a ceasefire or other concessions.
‘We’ll talk again very soon and will likely see each other soon,’ Trump told Putin in a video posted on Truth Social. © Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The summit followed months of tension between Russia and Western nations over Ukraine. International leaders have urged Russia to cease hostilities, but Moscow has continued military operations.
Trump’s video contrasts with statements from U.S. officials, who said the meeting did not change the ongoing conflict. The White House emphasized that the United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine.
Critics described the video as propaganda-style, noting the slow-motion shots, somber music, and heavy use of American imagery, which they say was intended to portray a successful summit.
Trump also claimed that Putin had “flattered” him and that Russia would now behave differently on the world stage. No independent confirmation of these claims was provided.
While Trump suggested Zelenskyy now must lead the next steps, Ukrainian officials have not responded to his comments. European leaders also have yet to announce any new engagement plans.
Analysts argue that the video may appeal to Trump’s political base, portraying him as a global dealmaker despite failing to achieve concrete results.
The Alaska meeting highlights the difficulty of negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Experts say progress depends on multiple stakeholders, not just the United States and Russia.
Trump’s insistence on personal rapport with Putin drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who questioned the timing and tone of his public statements.
The summit also comes as Trump seeks to maintain political influence ahead of future elections. His supporters praised the video for showing leadership on an international stage.
Overall, the Alaska summit ended without a ceasefire. Trump’s video attempts to frame the event as productive, but experts and officials have not verified significant breakthroughs.
