Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that President Donald Trump has been invited to visit Russia, following a high-stakes summit with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. The invitation, extended during a joint press briefing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where Putin proposed hosting the next meeting in Moscow, comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year.

The Alaska summit, held at a symbolically charged location due to its historical Russian ties, ended without a ceasefire or concrete agreement, despite Trump describing the talks as “extremely productive.” He noted, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” highlighting unresolved issues, including Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede territories like Donetsk and Luhansk and abandon NATO aspirations—conditions Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected as “dead decisions.”

Following the summit, Trump met Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, expressing optimism about ending the war. He announced plans for a potential trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, stating, “Both want a truce, and this could be key to lasting peace.” However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov denied any agreement on a trilateral summit, underscoring Russia’s reluctance to include Ukraine directly.

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Russian media celebrated the Alaska summit as a diplomatic win for Putin, who was warmly received despite his international pariah status due to an ICC arrest warrant. The event, marked by a red carpet and military flyover, was seen as a setback for Ukraine and Europe, who were excluded from talks. European leaders, including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized that Ukraine’s borders must not be altered by force, while Zelenskyy insisted on robust security guarantees.

The invitation to Moscow, which Trump acknowledged might draw “heat” but could “possibly happen,” reflects Putin’s push for bilateral great-power negotiations, sidelining Ukraine. Critics, including Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, accused Putin of “gaslighting” with vague promises, while Russian state media claimed the summit diminished Europe’s influence. As Trump navigates this delicate diplomacy, the prospect of a Moscow visit raises questions about his strategy to balance pressure on Russia with Zelenskyy’s demands for justice.

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