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By Anna Commander
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Russian President Vladimir Putin took a swipe at former President Joe Biden during a joint news conference alongside President Donald Trump on Friday following a summit regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Newsweek reached out to Biden's office via online form on Friday for comment.
Why It Matters
The high-stakes bilateral meeting concluded Friday ahead of schedule amid efforts to advance a potential ceasefire agreement in the war in Ukraine. It represented a direct U.S.–Russia engagement that could determine whether a ceasefire would be negotiated in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, while raising concerns among Ukrainian and European leaders that Ukraine might be sidelined in any agreement.
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Observers flagged that any agreement reached without Ukraine's direct participation risked freezing gains Moscow had made on the battlefield and could redraw security arrangements in Europe.
During the news conference, Trump said he would get on the phone with NATO and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to brief them on the talks.
What To Know
While speaking to a host of international media outlets, Putin slammed Biden, saying in part that, "In the end, I would like to add one more thing. I'd like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague ... that the situation should not be brought to the point of no return when it would come to hostilities.
"I said it quite directly back then that it's a big mistake," Putin added. "Today when President Trump [said] that if he was the president back then, there would be no war. And I'm quite sure that it would indeed be so, I can confirm that. I think that overall, me and President Trump have built a very good businesslike and trustworthy contact. And I have every reason to believe that moving down this path we can come...the sooner the better, to the end of the conflict in Ukraine."
Putin's remarks were translated via CNN.
Putin and Trump met alongside delegates from both countries in a meeting that lasted about three hours. It is immediately unknown on which points the countries made agreements, as Trump said, and which need further discussion.
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What People Are Saying
Mark Hertling, retired commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, posted to X on Friday: "This afternoon, I told @NicolleDWallace that I had a sense of 'dread' about what might happen in the Alaskan 'summit.' After watching the press conference, that dread has come to life. I'll be joining @jrpsaki later tonight. This whole thing is despicable."
John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser, on CNN Friday: "Putin achieved most of what he wanted, Trump achieved very little. And I will say one other thing; I thought Trump looked very tired up there. I mean, very tired. Not disappointed. Tired. And we'll have to reflect on what that means."
What Happens Next
According to Trump, the U.S. and Russia agreed on various points, but no deals were made. He added that "great progress" was achieved during the summit in Alaska.
Update 8/15/25, 8:04 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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