U.S. President Donald Trump has been scheduled to meet with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, in an attempt to discuss a ceasefire deal for Ukraine in Alaska on Friday. The meeting comes after weeks of diplomatic exchanges, including a recent phone call between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and several Western leaders.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump told participants in the call that he intends to secure an agreement to halt hostilities during his talks with Putin. He allegedly told them that territorial issues would be discussed with Kyiv and that security guarantees would be included. Trump has also floated the idea of a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy, potentially in Europe, should Friday’s talks make progress.
The Alaska summit comes amid speculation over Trump’s earlier suggestion that a peace deal could involve a “land swap” between Moscow and Kyiv.
Moscow has reiterated its position that a settlement must acknowledge the “realities on the ground”, including Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—territories it says joined Russia after referendums. Russian officials maintain they are open to a peaceful resolution but insist that Ukraine abandon its bid to join NATO.
Putin has expressed his willingness to meet Zelenskyy in the future, but he asserts that the conditions for such a meeting remain unmet. He has proposed the United Arab Emirates as a possible venue for talks with Trump in the coming days. Washington has yet to confirm any additional dates or locations.
Trump has issued a warning, threatening Russia with “very severe” consequences if they fail to reach an agreement. While he described the upcoming summit as a “feel-out meeting,” he also emphasised the urgency of ending the war, citing the high human cost. The US leader’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face expanded sanctions expires on the day of the Alaska talks.
The meeting is seen by both Washington and Moscow as an opportunity not only to address the war in Ukraine but also to reset strained US-Russia relations. The outcome of Friday’s discussions will determine whether it leads to a ceasefire or establishes the foundation for a wider peace process.
