Dhaka, Aug. 17 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin ended the Alaska summit with a rare show of his English-speaking ability, smiling as he told US President Donald Trump: "And next time in Moscow."

The offhand remark, delivered without a translator, followed Trump's comment that the two leaders would meet again soon. Putin also closed the summit by saying "thank you so much" in English, though the talks ended without an agreement on the war in Ukraine.

Although the Kremlin acknowledges that Putin speaks English well, the Russian leader usually relies on interpreters during formal diplomatic engagements. A former KGB officer, Putin is fluent in German, a language he often used with former German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Kremlin spokesm...