Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin traveled to Alaska yesterday for a crucial summit that will test the US president’s commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders expressed optimism about the meeting, with Trump indicating that he would assess its success early on if Putin did not show flexibility, while the Kremlin mentioned plans for an extended discussion lasting six to seven hours.
This summit marks Putin’s first visit to Western territory since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, a move that escalated the ongoing deadly conflict. Russia’s recent military advances have bolstered Putin’s position in potential ceasefire talks.
Trump, speaking en route to Anchorage, conveyed a positive outlook, citing mutual respect between the parties and anticipating positive outcomes. The meeting will be closely monitored by European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited and has rejected Trump’s calls to cede territory to Russia.
Emphasizing the importance of ending the war, Zelensky urged action from Russia, expressing reliance on the United States. Trump characterized the summit as an exploratory meeting to gauge Putin’s stance, clarifying that negotiations were not the primary focus.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to speculate on the meeting’s outcome, highlighting Russia’s firm stance. Trump has pledged to involve European leaders and Zelensky in final discussions, aiming for a trilateral meeting to address territorial issues.
Despite Trump’s efforts to engage Putin and secure a ceasefire, the Russian leader has not shown willingness to compromise. Trump reiterated the possibility of severe consequences if an agreement is not reached, emphasizing his determination to walk away if necessary.
The talks are scheduled to commence at Elmendorf Air Force Base, a significant military facility in Alaska historically used for monitoring the former Soviet Union. The summit holds symbolic value as the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, a reference point for land negotiations.
The Kremlin anticipated a private meeting between Putin and Trump before a working lunch with their respective teams. Both leaders are not expected to venture outside the base into Anchorage, where displays of support for Ukraine have been visible.
Accompanied by key officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump’s entourage hints at discussions on economic relations amid talks of lifting sanctions. The summit diverges from the approach adopted by Western European leaders and Biden, who had insisted on Ukrainian involvement in negotiations.
Putin, facing an ICC arrest warrant, has restricted his travel since the conflict began. Notably, the US, not a party to the ICC, temporarily eased sanctions on Russian officials for their participation in the summit.
Zelensky viewed the summit as a strategic win for Putin, given the recent military actions in eastern Ukraine. The meeting signifies Putin’s emergence from isolation, delaying potential sanctions threatened by Trump in the absence of progress.