Trump and Putin meet in Alaska: Is peace approaching in Ukraine?
August 9, 202583 ViewsRead Time: 4 minutes
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In a significant move that may reshape the contours of the conflict in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the state of Alaska, as part of intensive diplomatic efforts to end the war that has been ongoing for more than three years between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump stated during a trilateral summit with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev: "I will meet President Putin very soon. The meeting could have happened earlier, but security arrangements delayed it."
He later added via the "Truth Social" platform that the meeting could open the door to a forthcoming ceasefire agreement, emphasizing the existence of a "real opportunity for peace."
* Alaska .. A meeting point for the neighbors
For its part, Moscow confirmed through Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov that holding the meeting in Alaska is a "logical step," given its geographical proximity to Russia, noting that both sides will intensify their work on the meeting details in the coming days, which he described as a "difficult path."
* A comprehensive Russian proposal to end the war
The Wall Street Journal revealed that the Kremlin presented a comprehensive proposal for a ceasefire to the Trump administration this week, which includes demanding Ukraine make significant territorial concessions in exchange for halting the fighting.
Sources confirmed that the Russian president informed Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, of his readiness for a complete ceasefire if Ukraine withdraws from the entire Donetsk region, without providing reciprocal commitments from Russia other than stopping the fighting.
The Russian proposal includes Kyiv conceding the Donbas region and recognizing full Russian control over the Crimean Peninsula, in exchange for Moscow relinquishing its claims in some areas of southern Ukraine, such as Kherson and Zaporizhia.
* Western meetings and preparations
In the same context, Axios reported from informed sources that U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials will hold a coordinating meeting in Britain next week, aiming to formulate a unified position before the Trump-Putin meeting.
The Trump administration is seeking to persuade European leaders to agree to a peace deal that includes a "land swap," as Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Despite the failure of several previous rounds of talks, Trump believes that the conditions have become more ripe for reaching a settlement.
* Zelensky: Russia ignores the deadline
On the Ukrainian side, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Moscow continues to bombard Ukrainian cities, ignoring the deadline set for a ceasefire.
He confirmed that Ukraine enjoys broad international support, but the Russian conditions for peace are "unacceptable," stressing his rejection of any territorial concessions and demanding security guarantees and continued Western support.
* Trump: No agreement without Zelensky's approval
Despite the rapprochement with Moscow, Trump emphasized in his statements from the White House the necessity of involving Kyiv in any potential agreement, saying: "President Zelensky must get everything he needs, because in the end, he will have to sign."
He hinted at the possibility of Zelensky participating in the Alaska summit in some form, although the nature of this participation remains unclear.
* Divergent positions within Washington
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commented on the recent moves, saying: "I am confident that President Trump will not accept any bad deal."
Meanwhile, White House officials warned that rushing to reach an agreement could lead to long-term repercussions if it does not include strong guarantees from Moscow.
* The past casts its shadow
It is worth noting that Trump acknowledged in a previous interview with the BBC that Putin has "disappointed him" after each of Witkoff's four previous visits to Moscow, where talks begin positively but ultimately collapse.
The last direct contact between Trump and Putin was via phone in February, while the last summit between a U.S. president and his Russian counterpart dates back to 2021, when Joe Biden met with Putin in Geneva.
* Will the Alaska meeting write the final chapter?
Amid Russian proposals, Ukrainian reservations, and U.S. diplomatic tactics, the most pressing question remains:
Will the Alaska meeting be the first step towards ending the longest war Europe has seen since World War II, or is it merely a new chapter in endless negotiations?
