Russia Makes Quick Concessions During Trump-Putin Meeting in Alaska

During President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that Russia quickly gave in to concessions.

This development comes as the U.S. and European allies are finalizing security guarantees to accompany a peace deal. Witkoff mentioned that Putin agreed to allow additional protection for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.

“I don’t want to delve into the specifics of what was discussed because we’re in a negotiation, mediating, and I think we’re going to be very successful because of the leadership of President Trump,” Witkoff told Fox News on Tuesday night.

“Concessions were almost immediately made by the Russians in the first meeting in Alaska,” Witkoff stated. “Part of getting those concessions was gauging if the Russians were willing to be more accommodating.”

Traditionally, Russia has demanded that a peace deal prohibit Ukraine from joining NATO and include concessions on certain border issues that were previously part of Ukraine.

President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP;Getty Images)

While Trump suggested that Ukraine could end the conflict by agreeing to certain land concessions to Russia and forgoing NATO membership, the focus is now on establishing security provisions for Ukraine under a potential peace agreement.

After meetings at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders, Trump announced that sending U.S. troops to Ukraine for security reinforcement was not on the table.

“The president has made it clear that U.S. troops will not be deployed in Ukraine, but we can assist in coordinating and providing other forms of security guarantees to our European allies,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.