Putin's first reaction after meeting with Trump:"The visit was useful and timely"
Vladimir Putin says his visit to Alaska was "useful and timely."
The Russian leader also says that the discussion he had with Donald Trump was "frank and substantial," according to the Russian news agency TASS.
Putin told officials that Russia respects the US position on the conflict in Ukraine.
Nicusor Dan's reaction
In a post on X, Nicușor Dan mentions that he supports peace negotiations for Ukraine, calls for an end to Russian attacks, and reaffirms Romania's support for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nicușor Dan said on Saturday that the meeting in Alaska between the two officials, United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, was a first step towards starting peace negotiations.
Pro-Kremlin Russian media celebrates Putin-Trump summit
Pro-Kremlin publications, such as Gazeta and the Interfax and Tass news agencies, described the summit as an important step towards peace, emphasizing Putin's firmness and willingness to talk. According to the Russian press, Ukraine was reportedly dissatisfied with the results, refusing to release the prisoners of war mentioned in the talks. Trump was reportedly given a list of over a thousand prisoners that the Ukrainian side does not want to take back.
Merz: US ready to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine
The United States is ready to participate in guaranteeing Ukraine's security, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday, after the Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended without a ceasefire agreement.
Merz spoke to German public broadcaster ZDF after being briefed, along with other European leaders, by Trump about his talks with Putin.
Donald Tusk: The fight for the future of Ukraine and the security of Europe has entered a decisive phase
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that the fight for Ukraine's future and European security has reached a"decisive phase", urging the West to remain united in opposition to Vladimir Putin, whom he described as"a cunning and ruthless player".
"The game for the future of Ukraine, the security of Poland and the whole of Europe has entered a decisive phase. Today, it is even clearer that Russia respects only the strong, and Putin has once again proven that he is a cunning and ruthless player. Therefore, maintaining the unity of the entire West is so important."
Donald Trump and European leaders discussed security guarantees for Ukraine
After the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, European leaders along with Donald Trump discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, equivalent to Article 5 of NATO.
Von der Leyen: Strong security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe are essential in a peace agreement
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a message on X that solid security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe are"essential" in any peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
"The EU is working closely with Zelensky and the United States to achieve a just and lasting peace. Strong security guarantees, protecting the vital interests of Ukraine and Europe, are essential," von der Leyen wrote on Saturday.
European officials on the war in Ukraine: Russia does not want peace, the US can force negotiations
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said on Saturday that Russia has no intention of ending the war in Ukraine"in the near future," but the United States "has the power to force Russia to negotiate seriously."
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a message on X that France will work with the US and partners in the "Coalition of the Willing" to make progress towards a lasting peace with security guarantees. Macron added that this coalition will meet in the near future.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has distanced himself from most Western allies through his visits to Moscow and his refusal to provide official military assistance to Ukraine, said in a video message on Facebook: “The coming days will show whether the big players in the Union will support this process … or whether the failed European strategy of trying to weaken Russia through this conflict will continue, with all kinds of literally incredible aid – financial, political or military – given to Kiev.”
A senior Ukrainian lawmaker has warned that Donald Trump's call to replace a ceasefire with a peace agreement reflects Vladimir Putin's position.
"Unfortunately, Trump adopted Putin's position, and this was exactly Putin's request," Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told Reuters.
Merezhko explained that, in Putin's vision, a"peace agreement" involves several dangerous conditions: blocking Ukraine's accession to NATO, imposing so-called"denazification" and demilitarization, as well as promoting the Russian language and church.
Keir Starmer: Peace in Ukraine 'closer than ever' after Trump-Putin summit, but warns Russia
Keir Starmer said peace in Ukraine was"closer than ever" after the Trump summit, but the next talks must also include President Zelensky.
Minister Oana Țoiu welcomes Trump's invitation to Zelensky for a meeting in Washington
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said that US and European involvement can help achieve and maintain peace in Ukraine.
European leaders prepare joint statement on Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska
European leaders have concluded discussions about Trump's meeting with Putin on Friday and are preparing a joint statement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, The Guardian reports.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer and Giorgia Meloni, had reviewed information provided by Trump and input from Zelensky to draft the joint statement. He did not say when it would be made public.
Trump plans possible talks with Putin if meeting with Zelensky"goes well"
Trump announces possible meeting with Putin if talks with Zelensky go well; promotes a direct peace agreement, not a truce.
European leaders held talks with Trump after the Alaska summit. What they said
European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, spoke with Donald Trump after his summit with Putin in Alaska. Reactions from European politicians are mixed. Some welcome any step towards peace, while others criticize Russia for aggression and propaganda.
Trump:"I think a quick peace agreement is better than a truce"
US President Donald Trump told Zelensky and NATO leaders that Putin does not want a ceasefire and prefers a comprehensive agreement to end the war, Axios reporter Barak Ravid reported on X.
The post added that Trump said:"I think a quick peace agreement is better than a ceasefire."
Medvedev: Negotiations possible in the midst of a war waged by Russia
Medvedev said the Trump-Putin meeting showed the possibility of negotiations without preconditions, but Russia maintains tough demands. Responsibility for an agreement lies with Kiev and Europe.
Szijjártó: US-Russia dialogue at the highest level makes the world safer, Hungary has supported this position for years
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue between the United States and Russia:"The world is safer as long as there is a dialogue at the highest level between the US and Russia. I congratulate both presidents for making this summit possible."
He added: "Hungary has supported this position for three and a half years, unlike Brussels and European politicians who promote war," noting the Budapest government's opposition to support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
Sources: Zelensky to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet with Donald Trump in Washington starting Monday, Axios journalist Barak Ravid said Saturday on X.
Zelensky said his call with Trump lasted more than an hour and a half and that Ukraine supports the trilateral meetings.
He added that Europe should be part of these discussions at all stages.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia:"Putin wants to revive the Soviet Union by destroying democracy around him"
Vladimir Putin remains determined to "revive the Soviet Union" by "destroying democracy next door," Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has said.
Speaking to the Australian national broadcaster, in the context of the Trump-Putin meeting, Myroshnychenko rejected Putin's rhetoric about the need to address the"root causes" of the conflict.
He said that, from Putin's perspective, the root cause of the conflict is a sovereign, independent and democratic Ukraine.
"When Putin talks about the 'cause of war,' he means an independent Ukraine on the map of Europe. This is the only cause of war for Russia," he said.
"Putin is only pursuing his mission to revive the Soviet Union, to revive the Russian empire, and this cannot be achieved without Ukraine. Just overnight, even as we speak, the Russians have attacked many Ukrainian cities and sent in numerous drones. So, we see no evidence that they are ending their war."
Reactions from Europe after the Trump-Putin meeting
Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová said the summit showed that the Russian president does not seek peace and wants to weaken the unity of the West.
"The Trump-Putin talks in Alaska did not bring significant progress towards ending the war in Ukraine, but they confirmed that Putin is not looking for peace, but for opportunities to weaken Western unity and spread his propaganda," she wrote on X, adding that the West must continue to support Ukraine.
Schumer and other Democrats criticize Trump-Putin meeting:"Just theater, not diplomacy"
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of rolling out the red carpet "for an authoritarian bastard" in a meeting that was "just theater," not diplomacy, The Guardian writes.
"Instead of standing with Ukraine and our allies, Trump has stood shoulder to shoulder with an autocrat who has terrorized the Ukrainian people and the entire world for years," Schumer said on X.
“While we await the essential details of what was discussed – at first glance, it appears that Trump gave Putin legitimacy, a global stage, zero accountability and got nothing in return.”
Schumer was supported by other Democrats in their criticism of the meeting.
Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said: “Donald Trump has been close to Vladimir Putin for years, and this meeting underscored the depth of his sick obsession with the Russian dictator and accused war criminal.”
He added: “Trump has been clear that his foreign policy agenda allows Russia to do whatever it wants, no matter how disastrous it may be for the United States and our allies – and when put to the test, Trump has embarrassed the United States by collapsing like a cheap suit.”
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly told Trump that he should"sign the deal first."
Treat a war criminal like royalty, hide the meeting, share nothing. Putin gets a headline and Ukraine gets what? Next time, ink the deal first.
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) August 15, 2025
Norway: Too early to assess progress of Trump-Putin meeting
Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says it is too early to assess progress; pressure on Russia must continue and Ukraine's sovereignty must be respected, according to The Guardian.
"We must continue to put pressure on Russia and even intensify it, to send a clear signal to Russia that it must pay the price (for its invasion of Ukraine)," Eide told journalists in Oslo.
Earlier this month, Eide said on X that he welcomed “Trump’s initiative to end Russia’s illegal war.” But he added: “No one wants peace more than Ukraine. A dignified peace must be lasting and just. No decision on Ukraine should be made without Ukraine. The country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.”
"Disgusting. Shameful. And ultimately useless"
The Kyiv Independent published an editorial about the Trump-Putin meeting.
Trump didn't get what he wanted. But Putin? He certainly did.
From the moment he stepped off the plane onto American soil, the Russian dictator was beaming.
No longer an international pariah, he was finally accepted—and respected—by the leader of the free world. Trump’s predecessor had called Putin a “murderer”; Trump gave him a royal welcome.
The editorial in the Ukrainian English-language publication compared the"royal reception" given to Putin to Trump's hostile attitude towards Zelensky in the Oval Office just six months ago.
"The Ukrainian president endured public humiliation. The Russian president was pampered. Both episodes were scandalous," the text reads.
“Trump doesn’t understand that Putin is not approaching Ukraine in a transactional way – to him it’s something messianic. He wants Ukraine for Russia, period. To Putin and his inner circle, Ukraine’s independence is an accident, and they’re just fixing it.”
"Trump didn't lose, but Putin clearly won"
John Bolton, former US ambassador to the UN and national security adviser, told CNN:"Trump didn't lose, but Putin clearly won".
“Trump has achieved nothing but the promise of more meetings. Putin, I think, has made important steps in restoring the relationship, which has always been his main goal. He has escaped sanctions, he is not facing a ceasefire, the next meeting is not set, and [Ukrainian President] Zelensky was not informed of anything before this press conference. Things are far from over, but I would say that Putin has achieved almost everything he wanted, and Trump very little.”
"And I would say something else. Trump looked very tired up there," Bolton added."Not disappointed, tired. And we'll have to think about what that means."
