US President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday, August 15, in Alaska. This will be the first summit between the two leaders since 2021, when then-US President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva. The meeting aims to address the ongoing war in Ukraine and explore avenues for peace.
What is On Agends? Focus on Ukraine Peace Deal and Territorial Swaps
The primary topic expected at the summit is the conflict in Ukraine and a potential peace agreement. Trump suggested the deal could involve territorial exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking to the Associated Press, he said, “Nothing easy. But we’re gonna get some back. We’re gonna get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.” Trump expressed confidence that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy desire peace.
Also Read: Ceasefire in 2 Minutes? Donald Trump’s Dramatic Prediction Before Alaska Meeting with Putin
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov also confirmed that “the presidents themselves will undoubtedly focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis,” as stated on his Telegram account.
Currently, President Putin claims four Ukrainian regions—Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—as well as Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula Russia annexed in 2014. However, Russian forces do not fully control all territories within these regions.
Uncertainty Over Tariffs Discussion
Neither the Kremlin nor the Trump administration have confirmed whether trade tariffs will be discussed during the summit. However, ahead of the meeting, Putin held consultations with leaders from China and India.
On the same day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Putin over the phone, during which they reviewed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and bilateral cooperation. According to a statement from India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB), the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia.
PM Modi also extended an invitation to Putin to visit India later this year for the 23rd Annual Bilateral Summit.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
