Putin Invites Trump to Moscow at End of Alaska Summit

Four simple words from Russian President Vladimir Putin — spoken in English — caught even Donald Trump by surprise at the close of their summit in Alaska: “Next time in Moscow.”

Trump, who admitted that the peace talks in Anchorage “didn’t get there,” appeared momentarily taken aback but responded with a mix of humor and caution. “That’s an interesting one. I’ll get a little heat on that one,” he said with a laugh. “But I could see it possibly happening.”

Putin’s invitation marks a potentially historic moment, as no American president has visited Russia since Barack Obama attended the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg in 2013. The last time a U.S. president visited Moscow itself was also under Obama in 2009.

The brief joint press appearance — lasting only 12 minutes after more than three hours of private talks — was unusual in tone and format. In a rare move, Trump allowed Putin to speak first and took no questions from reporters before leaving the stage.

Putin used the opportunity to flatter Trump, claiming that the war in Ukraine would not have started if Trump had been president. “I’m quite sure it would indeed be so,” Putin said, adding that relations between Washington and Moscow had sunk “to the lowest point since the Cold War.” He blamed former President Joe Biden for letting tensions reach “the point of no return.”

Despite the cordial exchange, no immediate ceasefire or peace agreement emerged from the summit. Trump described the meeting as “extremely productive” with “many points agreed to” but admitted one key issue remained unresolved. He declined to reveal the nature of that issue, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity, “I want to see if we can get it done.”

Reactions to the Moscow invitation were sharply divided. Supporters called it a sign of potential diplomatic progress, while critics accused Trump of letting Putin control the narrative. Former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock called the exchange “pathetic and weak,” claiming Putin “got the last word” and “stuffed Trump in a locker.”

Trump has been to Moscow before — in 2013 for the Miss Universe Pageant, and in 1987 with his then-wife Ivana after Soviet officials floated the idea of him doing business there. But a formal presidential visit during his term would carry significant political weight, given current tensions over Ukraine and U.S.–Russia relations.