Trump and Putin to Meet in Alaska for High-Stakes Talks on Ukraine War

Trump said on Friday he expected "some swapping of territories" between Russia and Ukraine

 U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold a high-profile meeting in Alaska on Friday, August 15, to discuss possible resolutions to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump made the announcement on social media, and it was later confirmed by Russian officials. A Kremlin spokesperson described Alaska as a “logical” venue due to its geographical closeness to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that any negotiation concerning the conflict must include Ukraine, stressing his government’s commitment to achieving “lasting peace” with international cooperation.

Talk of Territorial Adjustments

The announcement comes shortly after President Trump indicated that a territorial compromise might be necessary to bring the war to a close.

“Many lives have been lost—Ukrainian and Russian alike,” Trump said during a Friday press briefing. “It’s a complex issue. Some territory will come back, some will be traded. The goal is a deal that benefits both sides.”

Though he did not offer specifics, reports from CBS News, citing sources close to the discussions, suggest the U.S. is lobbying European allies to support a framework in which Russia retains Crimea and the full Donbas region, while relinquishing its hold on Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Putin reportedly floated a similar proposal during a meeting in Moscow with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukraine Firm on Sovereignty

President Zelensky, however, has consistently rejected any agreement that involves ceding Ukrainian land. In a Telegram post on Saturday, he reiterated Ukraine’s stance: “The Constitution defines our borders. We will not surrender our territory to occupiers.”

He warned that “any decision made without Ukraine’s participation is not a solution for peace—it is a threat to it,” but also stated that his government remains open to genuine negotiations that could end the conflict.

“We’re willing to work with President Trump and all international partners to reach a real, enduring peace,” he said. “One that isn’t vulnerable to Moscow’s whims.”

Past Negotiations and Ongoing Disputes

So far, three rounds of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow—hosted in Istanbul—have failed to yield progress. Russia continues to insist on terms that Ukraine and Western powers view as unacceptable, including:

• Ukraine declaring itself a neutral state,

• Abandoning aspirations to join NATO,

• Scaling down its military forces,

• Lifting of Western-imposed sanctions on Russia,

• And complete withdrawal from four southeastern regions partially occupied by Russian forces.

Despite these demands, Trump has expressed optimism: “Putin wants peace. Zelensky wants peace. European leaders want peace. I believe we have a chance to make that happen.”

He added that President Zelensky is “preparing” to potentially sign an agreement and “working hard to get everything in place.”

Political and Diplomatic Context

Last month, Trump told the
he had previously believed a deal with Russia was near on at least four occasions. “Putin has disappointed me, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up,” he said.

Although Trump imposed a ceasefire deadline of August 8, threatening new sanctions if Russia failed to act, no additional penalties were announced as the deadline passed. Instead, attention has shifted to the upcoming face-to-face summit.

This will mark the first meeting between a U.S. and Russian president since 2021, when Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin met in Geneva.

White House officials have suggested the Alaska summit could still evolve in scope and format, with one insider hinting that Zelensky might participate in some form.

Current Status of the War

As of now, Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, as well as the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014. Ukrainian forces have launched repeated counteroffensives but have struggled to reclaim significant ground.