U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting face-to-face today in Alaska for high-stakes talks on the war in Ukraine. This marks their first in-person meeting since Trump’s return to the White House and comes amid international apprehension about the future of the conflict. The summit, held at a Cold War-era air force base in Anchorage, is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. local time (1900 GMT).
A Ceasefire and a New Nuclear Deal
The primary goal for Trump is to negotiate a ceasefire in the three-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine, a conflict he has now acknowledged is “a harder nut to crack” than he initially thought. The White House has indicated that if the talks are successful, Trump would like to arrange a follow-up summit that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Adding a last-minute twist to the negotiations, Putin has suggested a new nuclear arms control agreement. This offer comes as Russia’s war-driven economy continues to be impacted by Western sanctions. The last remaining major nuclear pact between the two nations is set to expire in February. Sources close to the Kremlin suggest that Russia is under pressure from the sanctions to agree to some terms at the meeting.
Ukraine’s Absence and Concerns from Allies
The summit has sparked apprehension in Kyiv and Europe, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has not been invited to the Alaska meeting. Allies fear that Trump could undermine Ukraine’s position and push for a deal that favors Moscow.
However, a recent conference call with European leaders and Zelenskiy seems to have eased some of these concerns. Trump reportedly assured them that Ukraine must be part of any negotiation regarding land surrender and agreed to the concept of security guarantees in a post-conflict settlement. While Trump has not publicly commented on this, Zelenskiy has confirmed the agreement.
The outcome of today’s talks in Alaska will be closely watched by the world, as it has the potential to significantly shape the future of the conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape.