Trump, Putin meet in Alaska as Ukraine hopes for ceasefire, peace

In a high-stakes summit at a military base in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to discuss critical territorial issues surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump, emphasizing Ukraine’s autonomy in negotiations, made it clear he’s not there to dictate terms. “I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they’ll make a proper decision, but I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Describing his role as bringing Putin “to the table,” Trump highlighted a mutual respect, calling Putin “a smart guy” and noting the Russian leader’s entourage of business leaders eager for U.S. collaboration.

However, Trump warned of “economically severe” sanctions should Putin fail to pursue peace. His comments reflect a delicate balance of diplomacy and pressure, as he also underscored cooperation with European allies on the Ukraine issue. “There’s a good respect level on both sides,” Trump added, signaling cautious optimism for productive talks.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, absent from the summit, is closely monitoring developments from Kyiv.

In a Telegram post, he revealed expectations for intelligence briefings on Russia’s intentions. Zelensky expressed hope that the Trump-Putin meeting would set the stage for a three-way discussion including himself. “It is time to end the war, and Russia must take the corresponding steps. We are counting on America,” he stated, emphasizing his goal of securing a ceasefire and ending the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

As the Anchorage summit unfolds, the world watches to see if these talks will pave the way for peace or deepen the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.