Trump hopes the meeting is just the first step in ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke before the press at a podium with the U.S. Presidential Seal on the front, sparking criticism online.
The incident happened following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday. The leaders had a high-profile meeting, hoping to agree on a ceasefire in the Ukraine War.
The leaders met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, where they shook hands on the tarmac before taking the same car to the meeting.
Following the meeting, Putin spoke to the press at a podium with the U.S. Presidential Seal, which left many uncomfortable. Typically, an American president speaks first when hosting a foreign counterpart; however, Putin opened the floor at the press conferences as Trump looked on.
“Vladimir Putin speaking from a podium with the U.S. Presidential Seal on the front really is a perfect image of our times,” wrote one person on X.
“Is Putins podium set back about a foot from Trump’s?” asked another person.
A third wrote: “Are they really gonna have Putin stand behind a podium with the U.S. presidential seal? Lots of people think hes already president! Talk about bad optics.”
“Putins podium should not have the presidential seal,” said a fourth person.
During his speech, Putin acknowledged that US-Russia relations have been strained over the years, saying, “It is known that there have been no summits between Russia and the US for four years, and thats a long time. This time was very hard for bilateral relations.
“And lets be frank, they have fallen to the lowest point since the Cold War. I think thats not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole.”
Putin added: “A personal meeting between the heads of state has been long overdue.”
Negotiations between the leaders were held in a “respectful, constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere,” Putin said in the press conference.
“It is quite logical to meet here, because our countries, although separated by oceans, are in fact close neighbors,” he added, sharing his gratitude for Trump’s invitation to Alaska.
When Trump spoke, he shared that he and Putin “made some headway” and “great progress,” but added that “there’s no deal until there’s a deal.”
He vowed to “call up NATO in a little while. I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate,” including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to,” said Trump. “We didnt get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.
Since taking office for a second time, Trump has promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, despite Putin’s refusal to cooperate in any meaningful peace talks.
The meeting was initially planned as a one-on-one, with only translators present; however, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff joined Trump for the first round of talks.
Just an hour before the meeting, President Zelensky shared a video on social media, claiming that Russia had struck several regions in Ukraine.
“The war continues, and it is precisely because there is neither an order nor a signal that Moscow is preparing to end this war,” said Zelensky.
“On the day of negotiations, they are killing, as well. And that speaks volumes.”
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