‘Ukraine’s security must be ensured,’ says Putin, but only if Russia’s concerns are met

Putin stressed that the war could only end if “all the primary roots” of the conflict were addressed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he agreed with US President Donald Trump that Ukraine’s security “must be ensured”, but tied that commitment to addressing what he called Russia’s “fundamental security concerns.”

“I agree with President Trump that the security of Ukraine must be secured, and of course, we are ready to work on that,” Putin said during a press conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

He expressed hope that an agreement reached with Trump, which neither leader described in detail, would “pave the path towards peace in Ukraine.”

‘Primary causes’ must be eliminated

Putin stressed that the war could only end if “all the primary roots” of the conflict were addressed. “The situation in Ukraine has to do with the fundamental threats to our security,” he said.

“To consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world… naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well,” Putin added.

The Russian leader did not elaborate on what eliminating those “roots” would mean, though in the past he has linked the phrase to demands Kyiv and its allies have rejected.

Trump: Calls to NATO, Zelensky next

Trump told reporters after the summit that he planned to brief NATO leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and “other appropriate officials” about the discussions.

“I’m going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened,” he said.

No ceasefire, no specifics

The leaders met for about three hours, far shorter than the six to seven hours Russian aides had anticipated. They emerged claiming “progress” on unspecified issues but announced no ceasefire, offered no specifics, and took no questions.