In a moment that stunned even Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare remark in English during their highly anticipated Alaska summit on Friday, August 15.
The two leaders spent over three hours behind closed doors in Anchorage, discussing possible pathways to a peace deal in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. While no official ceasefire was reached, Trump insisted that “many points were agreed to” and only “a very few that are left” remain unresolved.
But the headline moment came at the end of their joint press conference. After Trump wrapped up his remarks, Putin leaned toward him and said in English: “Next time in Moscow.”
Trump, visibly caught off guard, hesitated before responding: “That’s an interesting one, I’ll get a little heat on that… but I could see it possibly happening.”
No U.S. president has visited Russia since Barack Obama attended the G20 Summit in 2013. Putin’s remark immediately set off a storm of speculation about whether Trump would accept such an invite and what it would mean for U.S.–Russia relations.
Reporters pressed Trump further about his ability to bring peace between Russia and Ukraine. Trump admitted frustration, noting that while he had “good conversations” with Putin, the war continued: “I want to end the war. It’s Biden’s war, but I want to end it. I’ll be very proud to end this war, along with the five other wars I ended.”
Earlier aboard Air Force One, Trump had warned that if Putin showed no willingness to negotiate, the consequences for Russia would be “economically severe.”
But with four unexpected words in English, Putin shifted the narrative — and left the world wondering what happens next.
