US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on Friday for a critical face-to-face summit amid heightened tensions over Ukraine, with Trump pushing to secure a ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, Putin has reportedly offered a possible face-saving nuclear arms agreement, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
Officials confirm the summit will take place at an Alaska air force base, marking the first direct meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the White House. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited, and European allies remain concerned that Trump might prioritize diplomacy with Russia and force Ukraine into territorial concessions.
A Push for Peace and Power Politics
Trump is strongly advocating for a ceasefire that could bolster his reputation as a peacemaker, arguably worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. However, he publicly acknowledged that ending the 3.5-year-old war in Ukraine is proving more difficult than he initially believed. He has hinted that if his talks with Putin go well, a subsequent summit including Zelensky could become even more significant.
For Putin, the summit is a strategic victory as it signals that Moscow has reclaimed its place in global diplomacy and showcases that Western efforts to isolate Russia might be unraveling, with Putin is eager to speak directly with Trump—without Ukraine’s involvement—to set the agenda.
However, sources close to the Kremlin indicate that Moscow might be open to compromise as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that Russia would not reveal its positions beforehand, keeping negotiations opaque. Meanwhile, Ukraine and its allies feel cautiously optimistic after reports that Trump supports Ukraine’s involvement in any land-ceding talks and endorses security guarantees for Kyiv.
Putin, facing economic strain, hopes Trump can help relax Western sanctions, or at least prevent new ones as Putin hinted on Thursday at a potential deal on nuclear arms control to replace the expiring treaty, adding yet another bargaining chip.
Can an Agreement Be Reached?
Trump has expressed optimism about a Ukrainian ceasefire, though he remains cautious about the chances of a breakthrough. Conversely, Putin has praised recent “sincere efforts” by the US, suggesting discussions are ongoing. A Kremlin source indicated that both sides might have found some common ground, although significant compromises are likely.
Experts warn that Putin could offer a ceasefire in the air war while maintaining the ability to escalate. “If Russia can present a deal that appears to pause hostilities but keeps them in control of escalation dynamics, that would benefit Putin,” said analyst Sam Greene.
Ukraine has firmly rejected proposals that involve territorial concessions, though Putin’s objectives include regaining control over Ukraine’s Donbas region, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Russia also seeks to block NATO membership for Kyiv and impose limits on Ukraine’s military forces.
Ukraine insists these demands amount to capitulation, and the conflict’s outcome remains uncertain. As the summit unfolds, all eyes remain on whether the leaders can find common ground amid these deep divisions.
This high-stakes meeting will shape the course of the Ukraine crisis in the coming months. For now, the world waits to see if diplomacy can overcome decades of geopolitical tension.
