Trump and Putin to Meet in Alaska on August 15 as Ukraine Peace Talks Advance
US President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, the White House confirmed Friday.
Trump announced the upcoming summit after revealing that negotiations involving Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were nearing a ceasefire agreement. The proposed deal could potentially end more than three years of conflict but may require Ukraine to cede some territory.
Speaking to reporters, Trump hinted at a territorial exchange, saying, “There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” The Kremlin later confirmed the meeting, stating that both leaders will focus on achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Zelensky, in his national address, expressed hope for a ceasefire if sufficient international pressure is applied on Russia. He confirmed ongoing talks with global leaders, including regular communication with the US.
Russia currently claims control over Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, along with Crimea, annexed in 2014. However, Russian forces do not fully control all areas of these regions.
Reports from Bloomberg suggested that the deal under discussion could formalize Russia’s occupation of seized territories, though the White House dismissed these claims as speculative. Analysts say such terms would be difficult for Ukraine’s leadership to accept, as they involve the loss of about a fifth of the country’s land.
The Alaska meeting marks the first high-profile diplomatic event in the state since 2021, when US and Chinese officials met in Anchorage for tense talks. Since returning to office in January, Trump has aimed to rebuild ties with Russia and bring the conflict to an end, alternating between praise and criticism of Putin.
Tensions remain high, with Trump recently threatening new sanctions and tariffs against Moscow unless it agreed to halt its offensive. The US has already imposed additional tariffs on certain imports from India over its purchases of Russian oil.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, following talks with Zelensky, said there were “signals” that a freeze in the fighting could be approaching. He described Zelensky as “cautious but optimistic” and emphasized that Ukraine wants European allies to play a role in shaping any ceasefire and peace deal.
