Trump announces meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15

US President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska, aiming to facilitate negotiations to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska.”

The announcement came as Trump expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in halting the conflict.

He also hinted that his discussion with Putin might precede any formal talks involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking a significant diplomatic step if it takes place.

“This would be the first US-Russia summit since 2021,” when former President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva, Trump noted, adding that while a breakthrough was possible, “there’s no guarantee it would stop the fighting,” given the wide gulf between Moscow and Kyiv’s conditions for peace.

“President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace, and Zelenskyy wants to see peace,” Trump said. He suggested that any peace deal would likely involve “some swapping of territories,” but did not provide further details.

Trump emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to secure everything necessary to prepare for signing a peace agreement. “He has to get all of his, everything he needs, because he’s going to have to get ready to sign something. And I think he is working hard to get that done.”

Some analysts, including voices close to the Kremlin, have speculated that Russia might consider relinquishing control over certain territories outside the four regions it claims to have annexed.

Trump’s announcement came as Ukrainian troops remained skeptical about a diplomatic resolution, and as his deadline for the Kremlin to move toward peace passed on Friday.

Two weeks earlier, frustrated by Putin’s refusal to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, Trump escalated his ultimatum, warning of additional sanctions on Russia and secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil if Moscow did not engage in peace talks.

So far, Trump’s pressure tactics have yet to yield any tangible progress. The Kremlin continues its costly military campaign, slowly advancing deeper into Ukraine while intensifying bombardments of urban areas. Despite ongoing efforts, Russia and Ukraine remain sharply divided over the terms required to end the war.