President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, a potential turning point after months of stalled progress. Trump revealed the plan on social media, though the Kremlin has yet to confirm details.
The summit could be a critical moment for the conflict, which began over three years ago with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, claiming tens of thousands of lives. However, with Moscow and Kyiv far apart on peace terms, success is uncertain. Trump hinted at “territory swapping” as part of a deal but offered no specifics. Some analysts suggest Russia might relinquish control of areas outside its claimed annexed regions.
Earlier Friday, Trump indicated he would meet Putin before engaging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, raising concerns in Europe that Ukraine could be sidelined in talks to resolve the continent’s largest conflict since World War II. Hosting Putin on U.S. soil in Alaska breaks from expectations of a neutral third-country meeting, signaling a bold diplomatic move.
Relations between Putin and U.S. leaders have been frosty since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Putin’s last U.S. visit was in 2015 for the U.N. General Assembly in New York. This Alaska meeting would mark the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, when Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.
Trump, speaking at the White House after unveiling a framework to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, called the Putin summit “highly anticipated” and promised more details soon. He noted security arrangements delayed the meeting but expressed optimism, stating, “President Putin wants peace, and Zelenskyy wants peace.” He added that a deal might involve Ukraine and Russia exchanging controlled territories.
Trump has grown frustrated with Russia’s continued bombing of Ukrainian cities. Two weeks ago, he threatened new sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian oil if Moscow didn’t pursue peace by Friday. Despite these efforts, Russia’s larger army continues its slow advance in Ukraine, bombarding cities and straining Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian Forces Stand Firm
Ukrainian troops face intense fighting along a 1,000-kilometer front line, with heavy clashes in the Pokrovsk area of Donetsk, where Russia aims to push into Dnipropetrovsk. Ukraine, grappling with manpower shortages, is also battling Russian forces in the northern Sumy region to block reinforcements to Donetsk.
A Ukrainian drone unit commander, known as Buda, dismissed negotiations, stating, “It’s impossible to negotiate with them. The only option is to defeat them.” In Zaporizhzhia, another commander, Warsaw, echoed this resolve: “We are on our land. We have no choice but to stand our ground.”
Putin’s Diplomatic Moves
On Friday, the Kremlin said Putin spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, briefing him on a recent meeting with Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. Xi reportedly supported a long-term resolution to the Ukraine crisis. Putin is set to visit China next month, amid U.S. claims that China, North Korea, and Iran are aiding Russia’s war effort.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed Ukraine with Putin, days after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil, which he says funds Russia’s war. Putin also held calls with leaders of South Africa, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, suggesting he is aligning allies ahead of the summit.
Analysts Question Putin’s Intentions
Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based analyst, suggested Putin’s calls indicate a potential peace agreement. However, the Institute for the Study of War warned that Putin remains uninterested in ending the conflict, aiming instead to outlast Ukraine and the West while seeking concessions from the U.S.
Trump’s decision to meet Putin before Zelenskyy has sparked fears in Europe that Ukraine’s interests may be overlooked. Putin previously expressed willingness to meet Trump as early as next week, possibly in the UAE, but the Alaska summit shifts the dynamic to U.S. territory.
As the summit approaches, the world watches to see if Trump and Putin can bridge the gap between Moscow and Kyiv—or if the war will grind on.