Anchorage, Alaska — August 15, 2025
In a move that has drawn global attention and stirred diplomatic unease, U.S. President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One today en route to Anchorage, Alaska, for a face-to-face summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, set to take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, marks the first direct engagement between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the White House and Putin’s first visit to U.S. soil in over a decade.
Speaking to reporters aboard the flight, Trump made his position clear: “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table.” He emphasized that any territorial decisions must be made by Kyiv itself, not imposed externally.
Summit Without Ukraine Raises Eyebrows
The summit has already sparked controversy for excluding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a move that breaks with the West’s long-standing principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” European leaders have voiced concern that any deal struck without Kyiv’s participation could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and embolden Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy, speaking from Berlin, reiterated his stance: “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier.” He called for a trilateral format involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, but so far, Moscow has not agreed to such a follow-up meeting.
Alaska: Symbolism and Strategy
The choice of Alaska as the venue is both symbolic and strategic. Once part of the Russian Empire, the state lies just 90 kilometers from Russian territory at its closest point. The summit is being held on a Cold War-era military base, underscoring the gravity of the talks and allowing for maximum security amid heightened tensions.
Putin’s journey included a stop in Magadan, Russia’s Far East, before crossing the Bering Sea to reach Anchorage. The Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, and sovereign wealth fund chief Kirill Dmitriev. Trump is joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Ceasefire or Chess Game?
Trump has described the summit as a “feel-out meeting,” estimating a 25% chance of failure. He hinted at possible “land swaps” between Russia and Ukraine but insisted that Ukraine must make those decisions independently. He also warned of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin shows no interest in ending the war.
Putin, meanwhile, is expected to push for recognition of Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories and demand that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions. Analysts warn that the summit could be a diplomatic win for Moscow, legitimizing its position while sidelining Ukraine and its allies.
Global Stakes, Uncertain Outcomes
With the war in Ukraine grinding into its fourth year and casualties mounting, the world watches closely. Trump aims to position himself as a global peacemaker, while critics caution that the summit risks validating Putin’s actions without securing meaningful concessions.
Whether this meeting leads to a breakthrough or deepens geopolitical divides remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the stakes in Anchorage couldn’t be higher.
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