US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on during a news conference after the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday, February 28.
In pictures: Trump-Kim summit in Vietnam cut short
US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looks on during a news conference after the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Thursday, February 28.
Evan Vucci/AP

Updated 10:01 AM EST, Thu February 28, 2019

The second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ended abruptly on Thursday, with a working lunch and a scheduled signing ceremony being called off.

The two leaders, meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, were unable to reach a joint agreement as they did in their first summit last year.

Trump told reporters afterward that the talks were "very productive," but he said he decided there was no agreement worth signing. "Sometimes you have to walk, and this was just one of those times," said Trump, who added that the summit ended on friendly terms.

This was just the second time ever that a sitting US president had met with a North Korean leader. The first came in June, months after the two leaders traded insults and threatened each other with nuclear annihilation. That summit ended with a joint agreement to "work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," and Trump said he'd developed a "special bond" with Kim.

<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/27/politics/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-vietnam-summit/index.html" target="_blank">Trump conceded</a> that US and North Korean officials remain at odds about the precise definition of denuclearization. Kim "has a certain vision and it's not exactly our vision, but it's a lot closer than it was a year ago and I think eventually we'll get there," Trump said.
Trump conceded that US and North Korean officials remain at odds about the precise definition of denuclearization. Kim "has a certain vision and it's not exactly our vision, but it's a lot closer than it was a year ago and I think eventually we'll get there," Trump said.
Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images
Trump and Kim are trailed by interpreters as they take a walk together at the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi on February 28.
Trump and Kim are trailed by interpreters as they take a walk together at the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi on February 28.
Evan Vucci/AP
A view of the room that was supposed to host a working lunch between Trump and Kim on February 28.
A view of the room that was supposed to host a working lunch between Trump and Kim on February 28.
Leah Millis/REUTERS
Kim listens as he meets with Trump on February 28.
Kim listens as he meets with Trump on February 28.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump and Kim, joined by members of their delegations, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_a160081d43d542065754e17c7c3d8ace" target="_blank">take questions from reporters</a> before sitting down for talks on February 28. "We're having very, very productive discussions," Trump said.
Trump and Kim, joined by members of their delegations, take questions from reporters before sitting down for talks on February 28. "We're having very, very productive discussions," Trump said.
Evan Vucci/AP
A journalist asked Kim if he was willing to fully dismantle his nuclear arsenal. "If not I'm willing to do that, I wouldn't be here right now," <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_4a49e1e233f9919d559787467d22c747" target="_blank">Kim responded through an interpreter.</a> A CNN translator said Kim's original phrase could also be interpreted as "I wouldn't have come here, if I didn't have the will."
A journalist asked Kim if he was willing to fully dismantle his nuclear arsenal. "If not I'm willing to do that, I wouldn't be here right now," Kim responded through an interpreter. A CNN translator said Kim's original phrase could also be interpreted as "I wouldn't have come here, if I didn't have the will."
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Kim and Trump take a walk outside the Hotel Metropole on February 28. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_22700ef4fad83bba147f714d6317693d" target="_blank">They were due to have a friendly chat beside the hotel's pool,</a> but the humid conditions reportedly forced a change in plans and the two moved inside.
Kim and Trump take a walk outside the Hotel Metropole on February 28. They were due to have a friendly chat beside the hotel's pool, but the humid conditions reportedly forced a change in plans and the two moved inside.
Evan Vucci/AP
A screen shows video of Kim and Trump as members of the press work at a media center in Hanoi on February 28.
A screen shows video of Kim and Trump as members of the press work at a media center in Hanoi on February 28.
Justin Chin/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Kim and Trump are joined by translators as they meet at the start of the summit's second day. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_5a896533f8fb45c3ebb810cd3e88adb8" target="_blank">Kim told the reporters there</a> that many people had been "skeptical" about the two leaders meeting. "I'm sure all of them will be watching the moment we are sitting together, side by side, as if they are watching a fantasy movie," he said.
Kim and Trump are joined by translators as they meet at the start of the summit's second day. Kim told the reporters there that many people had been "skeptical" about the two leaders meeting. "I'm sure all of them will be watching the moment we are sitting together, side by side, as if they are watching a fantasy movie," he said.
Evan Vucci/AP
Hanoi residents wait as a road is blocked for Trump's motorcade on February 28.
Hanoi residents wait as a road is blocked for Trump's motorcade on February 28.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Schoolchildren gather along the streets of Hanoi to see Kim's motorcade on February 28.
Schoolchildren gather along the streets of Hanoi to see Kim's motorcade on February 28.
Susan Walsh/AP
Kim's motorcade leaves the Hotel Metropole after he and Trump had dinner on Wednesday, February 27.
Kim's motorcade leaves the Hotel Metropole after he and Trump had dinner on Wednesday, February 27.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Trump and Kim sit down to take a few questions from the press before dinner on February 27. "I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you're a great leader," <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_8b68591d90009f41eb454618c9b9f807" target="_blank">Trump told Kim.</a> "We will help it to happen."
Trump and Kim sit down to take a few questions from the press before dinner on February 27. "I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you're a great leader," Trump told Kim. "We will help it to happen."
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The two leaders sit for dinner at the Hotel Metropole Hanoi on February 27. The men were <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_16c6aa1733e76d22621034004ef4acd0" target="_blank">joined by interpreters and a few associates,</a> including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, far right. "Nothing like having a nice private dinner," Trump joked as a limited pool of reporters took photos.
The two leaders sit for dinner at the Hotel Metropole Hanoi on February 27. The men were joined by interpreters and a few associates, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, far right. "Nothing like having a nice private dinner," Trump joked as a limited pool of reporters took photos.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Trump and Kim greet each other before having dinner together on February 27. It was the first time they had seen each other since their previous summit in June.
Trump and Kim greet each other before having dinner together on February 27. It was the first time they had seen each other since their previous summit in June.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump's motorcade passes through well-wishers on his way to meet Kim on February 27.
Trump's motorcade passes through well-wishers on his way to meet Kim on February 27.
Adam Schreck/AP
People gather outside the Hanoi hotel where Trump and Kim were meeting.
People gather outside the Hanoi hotel where Trump and Kim were meeting.
Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images
Trump holds a Vietnamese flag while meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, on February 27.
Trump holds a Vietnamese flag while meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, left, on February 27.
Evan Vucci/AP
Trump also met with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong, who said his country has "made every effort" to ensure "the best conditions for the success of this very special meeting." <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-kim-jong-un-summit-vietnam-february-2019/h_d0d9818e459b768e5197317f06b5859f" target="_blank">Trump pointed to Vietnam</a> as a "good example of what could happen" if North Korea denuclearizes and achieves peace with the United States.
Trump also met with Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong, who said his country has "made every effort" to ensure "the best conditions for the success of this very special meeting." Trump pointed to Vietnam as a "good example of what could happen" if North Korea denuclearizes and achieves peace with the United States.
Evan Vucci/AP
US security officers scan the area outside the Presidential Palace before Trump met with Vietnamese leaders.
US security officers scan the area outside the Presidential Palace before Trump met with Vietnamese leaders.
Vincent Yu/AP
A woman rides a bicycle as a police officer walks past Vietnamese flags in Hanoi on February 27.
A woman rides a bicycle as a police officer walks past Vietnamese flags in Hanoi on February 27.
Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP
Men in Pyongyang, North Korea, gather around public newspaper posts to read about Kim's visit.
Men in Pyongyang, North Korea, gather around public newspaper posts to read about Kim's visit.
AP
Trump looks out of his car after arriving in Hanoi late on Tuesday, February 26.
Trump looks out of his car after arriving in Hanoi late on Tuesday, February 26.
Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images
Vietnamese soldiers stand in formation as Air Force One arrives at Noi Bai International Airport on February 26.
Vietnamese soldiers stand in formation as Air Force One arrives at Noi Bai International Airport on February 26.
Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images
T-shirts depicting Kim and Trump are on sale in Hanoi on February 26.
T-shirts depicting Kim and Trump are on sale in Hanoi on February 26.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Kim waves after <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/25/asia/kim-jong-un-vietnam-arrive-train-intl/index.html" target="_blank">arriving to Vietnam by train</a> on February 26. The train trip lasted two and a half days and covered about 2,800 miles.
Kim waves after arriving to Vietnam by train on February 26. The train trip lasted two and a half days and covered about 2,800 miles.
Minh Hoang/AP
Kim looks out from his car after arriving by train in Dong Dang, Vietnam. (<em>Correction: An earlier caption for this photo incorrectly identified Kim.)</em>
Kim looks out from his car after arriving by train in Dong Dang, Vietnam. (Correction: An earlier caption for this photo incorrectly identified Kim.)
Linh Pham/Getty Images
Kim's bodyguards run alongside his car as it leaves the train station.
Kim's bodyguards run alongside his car as it leaves the train station.
Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images