Star Metro - Trump hails Putin summit but no specifics on Ukraine

At an air base in Alaska, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin, who stepped foot on Western soil for the first time since ordering the invasion of Ukraine, and the US president entertained going soon to Moscow as the two leaders declared themselves partners again.

But Trump and Putin did not take questions in a short appearance before hundreds of reporters, with the US leader -- usually fond of wide-ranging press conferences -- only vaguely speaking of progress.

"We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to," Trump said.

"There are just a very few that are left, some are not that significant, one is probably the most significant," he said without elaborating.

"But we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there."

Putin spoke of the need for the United States and Russia to cooperate and also spoke in general terms of progress.

As he left the stage and Trump spoke of a second meeting, Putin smiled and said in English: "Next time in Moscow."

The red-carpet treatment was a stark contrast to Trump's berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when he met him at the White House in February.

But Trump said he would soon consult Zelensky as well as NATO leaders on his talks with the Russian leader, which went on for about three hours.

Trump invited Putin just a week ago and ensured there was some carefully choreographed drama for their first in-person meeting since 2019.

The two leaders arrived in their respective presidential jets and descended on the tarmac of an air base, with Trump clapping as Putin appeared.

US military might was on display with a B-2 stealth bomber flying overhead, as a reporter shouted audibly to Putin, "Will you stop killing civilians?"

Putin, undaunted, grinned widely as Trump took the unusual step of escorting him into "The Beast," the secure US presidential limousine, before a meeting in a room before a screen that said -- in English only -- "Pursuing Peace."

Putin smiled and joked with Russian reporters on the visit, a breakthrough for a leader who is facing an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court related to the Ukraine war, which has killed tens of thousands of people.

- Russia presses advantage -

Russia in recent days has made battlefield gains that could strengthen Putin's hand in any ceasefire negotiations, although Ukraine announced as Putin was flying in that it had retaken several villages.

Trump had insisted he would be firm with Putin, after coming under heated criticism for appearing cowed during a 2018 summit in Helsinki.

While he was in the air, the White House abruptly announced that Trump had scrapped a plan to see Putin alone and he instead held the talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his roving envoy Steve Witkoff.

The meeting will be closely scrutinized by European leaders and Zelensky, who was not included and has refused pressure from Trump to surrender territory seized by Russia.

"It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America," Zelensky said in a social media post.

Trump has said that any final agreement would come in a three-way meeting with Putin and the Ukrainian president to "divvy up" territory.

- Return to Putin flattery -

Trump has boasted of his relationship with Putin, blamed predecessor Joe Biden for the war, and vowed before his return to the White House in January that he would be able to bring peace within 24 hours.

Putin, in language sure to please Trump, told him that he agreed that the Ukraine war, which Putin ordered, would not have happened if Trump were president.

Trump for his part again complained of a "hoax" that Russia intervened to help him the 2016 election -- a finding backed by US intelligence.

The talks took place at Elmendorf Air Force Base, the largest US military installation in Alaska and a Cold War facility for surveillance of the former Soviet Union.

Adding to the historical significance, the United States bought Alaska in 1867 from Russia -- a deal Moscow has cited to show the legitimacy of land swaps.

L.Pelletier--SMC