Trump claims ‘big progress’ on Russia after Alaska summit

US President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed “big progress” with Russia, days after his high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

“BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!” Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without elaborating.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Brussels alongside European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, said Moscow had given “no sign” of agreeing to a proposed three-way summit with the United States and Ukraine. “If Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow,” he warned.

Mr Zelensky dismissed the prospect of Russian “security guarantees” for his country, insisting only Ukraine’s own army — backed by European financing — could provide real security. Still, he welcomed Washington’s readiness to extend NATO-style protections. Ms von der Leyen echoed that position, saying: “We welcome President Trump’s willingness to contribute to Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, cautioned against showing weakness before Moscow. Speaking after a video-conference with European leaders, he said: “If we show weakness today in front of Russia, we are laying the ground for future conflicts.” He added that he did not believe Mr Putin “wanted peace.”

In Washington, White House envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN that Russia had made “some concessions” regarding five disputed regions — Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — during the Alaska summit. He also said both sides had agreed to “robust security guarantees” for Kyiv, calling them “game-changing.”

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But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that if no peace deal was reached, Russia would face further punitive measures. “If we’re not going to be able to reach an agreement, then there are going to be consequences,” he said, pointing to the possibility of additional sanctions.

European leaders are due to join Mr Zelensky in Washington on Monday for further talks with Mr Trump.