U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Alaska on August 15 for high-stakes talks aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The meeting, confirmed by both the White House and the Kremlin, marks the first face-to-face engagement between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office earlier this year.
Trump announced the summit via his Truth Social account, describing Alaska as a “logical” venue due to its proximity to Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov echoed the sentiment, stating that the location reflects shared strategic interests in the Arctic region.
The announcement came just hours after Trump suggested that a territorial compromise might be necessary to end the conflict.
“There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” he said during a press briefing at the White House. He did not elaborate on which regions might be affected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky swiftly rejected any proposal involving land concessions. In a statement on Telegram, Zelensky declared,
“Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier. Any decisions without Ukraine are decisions against peace.” He emphasized that Kyiv remains open to “real and lasting” solutions but insisted that any agreement must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The war, which began in February 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Despite multiple rounds of negotiations, no ceasefire has been reached. Moscow continues to occupy roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region.
The Alaska summit is expected to focus on potential frameworks for a long-term peace settlement. However, the inclusion of Ukraine in the talks remains uncertain.
While Trump has hinted at a trilateral meeting, sources close to the White House say planning is still fluid.
Meanwhile, hostilities continue. On August 6, a Russian airstrike on a recreation center in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia District killed two civilians and injured 12 others, including children.
Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, calling it further evidence of Moscow’s disregard for civilian life.
As global attention turns to Alaska, the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit could reshape the trajectory of the war – and the future of Eastern Europe.
