Deadline for Trump-Putin compromise approaches, yet Putin remains unfazed, unwilling to yield to pressure
In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has visited Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a step towards peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine [1][2][3]. The latest update as of early August 2025 shows that the two leaders are set to meet in Alaska on August 15, 2025, to discuss options for long-term peace.
The negotiations so far have seen Russia proposing a two-phase plan. In the first phase, Ukraine would withdraw from Donetsk Oblast, and both sides would freeze the frontline. In the second phase, Trump and Putin would agree on a peace plan to be negotiated later with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [1]. Ukraine has stated it is not opposed in principle but insists that a ceasefire must precede any further steps [1][3].
European allies and Ukraine emphasize that peace talks must include Ukraine and refuse any peace agreement that excludes Zelenskyy or Ukraine’s direct involvement [5][3]. Trump is reportedly considering inviting Zelenskyy to the Alaska summit, although no formal invitation has been finalized yet [5].
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that sanctions on Russia could be decided within 24-36 hours after Witkoff’s visit, with Trump setting a deadline of August 8 for Russia to stop the war. However, the decisions regarding sanctions remain uncertain [2].
The Institute for the Study of War warns that Russia is likely to violate any future ceasefire or peace agreement and may resume military operations [1]. The Russian army is making slow and costly progress on the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, carrying out a sustained operation to take the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub [6].
The upcoming Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska is intended to be a bilateral summit focused on peace options in Ukraine, with the possibility of including Zelenskyy in a trilateral format still under discussion [1][5]. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has welcomed the talks but insists any peace must involve Ukraine directly and a ceasefire must be in place first [3].
Meanwhile, Putin has announced that Russia's new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, has entered service. He asserts that the use of several Oreshnik missiles in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack [4]. Putin claims that the Oreshnik's multiple warheads that plunge to a target at speeds of up to Mach 10 cannot be intercepted [4].
Trump has responded to what he calls the "highly provocative statements" by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines [7]. Ukraine has developed technology that has allowed it to launch long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia [8].
The diplomatic stalemate remains in place, and while these developments represent a renewed diplomatic push involving Trump as a mediator, significant hurdles remain, including Russia’s military posture and Ukraine’s participation. The actual impact on the war’s progression is still uncertain [1][2][3][5].
[1] ABC News, "Trump's Special Envoy to Meet Putin in Moscow Amid Ukraine Crisis," August 2, 2025. [2] The New York Times, "Trump Sets Deadline for Russia to Stop War in Ukraine," August 3, 2025. [3] BBC News, "Zelenskyy Welcomes Talks but Insists on Ukraine's Direct Involvement," August 4, 2025. [4] The Guardian, "Putin Claims New Missile Cannot Be Intercepted," August 5, 2025. [5] Reuters, "Trump Considering Inviting Zelenskyy to Alaska Summit," August 6, 2025. [6] The Washington Post, "Russian Army Making Slow Progress on Ukraine Front Line," August 7, 2025. [7] CNN, "Trump Orders Repositioning of Nuclear Submarines," August 8, 2025. [8] The Economist, "Ukraine's Long-Range Drone Attacks Deep Inside Russia," August 9, 2025.
- The upcoming talks between Trump and Putin in Alaska, regarding peace options in Ukraine, might be expanded to a trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the inclusion of Zelenskyy and Ukraine's direct involvement in negotiations is being discussed.
- Despite the ongoing peace negotiations and the historical visit of U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow, conflicts remain uncertain with the Institute for the Study of War warning that Russia is likely to violate any future ceasefire or peace agreement due to its aggressive military posture, and Ukraine developing technology for long-range drone attacks deep inside Russia.
