President Donald Trump has announced that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday, 15 August, in Alaska for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
The Kremlin confirmed the date, with aide Yury Ushakov saying both leaders would “focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis” and describing the process as “challenging” but one Moscow would engage in “actively and energetically.”
This will be Putin’s first trip to the United States since meeting then-President Barack Obama in 2015 at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump floats territorial exchange
Speaking at the White House during the signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace accord, Trump said a Ukraine deal could involve exchanging land. "We're going to get some back, and we're going to get some switched. There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, but we'll be talking about that either later or tomorrow," he told reporters.
Pressed on progress, Trump replied: "We are getting very close to a deal. Working with European nations, who are terrific people and leaders, is a pleasure through NATO… In all fairness to President Zelensky, he is getting everything he needs, assuming we will get something done. I will be meeting very shortly with President Putin. It would have been sooner, but I guess there are security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make."
Kyiv’s position remains unchanged. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is constitutionally barred from ceding territory and has repeatedly said it will not surrender land — including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and four regions claimed by Moscow in 2022.
Russia-Ukraine war enters fourth year
The conflict, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands and forced millions from their homes. Russian forces continue to press their attacks despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from the United States, Europe, and Ukraine.
Three direct rounds of talks between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to make progress. Trump has sought to personally broker peace, telling reporters this week: “We have a shot” at ending the war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, after meeting Zelensky, said there were “signals” that a pause in the fighting might be close. “There are hopes for this,” Tusk said, adding that Zelensky was “very cautious but optimistic” and wanted European nations involved in any settlement.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow this week for three hours of what the US side called “highly productive” discussions. Witkoff had also suggested a three-way meeting with Zelensky, but Ushakov said “the Russian side left this option completely without comment.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump has alternated between praising and criticising Putin. He has threatened new sanctions on Moscow and countries buying Russian oil unless Russia agreed to halt its military offensive.
On Wednesday, the US imposed an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods over India’s imports of Russian oil — the first direct financial penalty on a Russian oil customer in Trump’s second term.
Any agreement would need to address not just territory, but also Kyiv’s demand for security guarantees from NATO or Western powers to prevent a future Russian attack. Putin has previously demanded limits on Western arms for Ukraine and political changes in Kyiv, including elections in which Moscow would likely seek influence.
For now, both sides remain entrenched. Whether the Alaska summit marks the start of real progress or another round of stalled diplomacy will be decided in just a few days’ time.
(With inputs from Agencies)
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
The Kremlin confirmed the date, with aide Yury Ushakov saying both leaders would “focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis” and describing the process as “challenging” but one Moscow would engage in “actively and energetically.”
This will be Putin’s first trip to the United States since meeting then-President Barack Obama in 2015 at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Trump floats territorial exchange
Speaking at the White House during the signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace accord, Trump said a Ukraine deal could involve exchanging land. "We're going to get some back, and we're going to get some switched. There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, but we'll be talking about that either later or tomorrow," he told reporters.
Pressed on progress, Trump replied: "We are getting very close to a deal. Working with European nations, who are terrific people and leaders, is a pleasure through NATO… In all fairness to President Zelensky, he is getting everything he needs, assuming we will get something done. I will be meeting very shortly with President Putin. It would have been sooner, but I guess there are security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make."
Kyiv’s position remains unchanged. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is constitutionally barred from ceding territory and has repeatedly said it will not surrender land — including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and four regions claimed by Moscow in 2022.
Russia-Ukraine war enters fourth year
The conflict, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands and forced millions from their homes. Russian forces continue to press their attacks despite repeated calls for a ceasefire from the United States, Europe, and Ukraine.
Three direct rounds of talks between Moscow and Kyiv have failed to make progress. Trump has sought to personally broker peace, telling reporters this week: “We have a shot” at ending the war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, after meeting Zelensky, said there were “signals” that a pause in the fighting might be close. “There are hopes for this,” Tusk said, adding that Zelensky was “very cautious but optimistic” and wanted European nations involved in any settlement.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in Moscow this week for three hours of what the US side called “highly productive” discussions. Witkoff had also suggested a three-way meeting with Zelensky, but Ushakov said “the Russian side left this option completely without comment.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump has alternated between praising and criticising Putin. He has threatened new sanctions on Moscow and countries buying Russian oil unless Russia agreed to halt its military offensive.
On Wednesday, the US imposed an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods over India’s imports of Russian oil — the first direct financial penalty on a Russian oil customer in Trump’s second term.
Any agreement would need to address not just territory, but also Kyiv’s demand for security guarantees from NATO or Western powers to prevent a future Russian attack. Putin has previously demanded limits on Western arms for Ukraine and political changes in Kyiv, including elections in which Moscow would likely seek influence.
For now, both sides remain entrenched. Whether the Alaska summit marks the start of real progress or another round of stalled diplomacy will be decided in just a few days’ time.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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