Trump and Putin to convene a summit, with Zelensky in attendance
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit aimed at facilitating peace negotiations regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The meeting, which will not include direct Ukrainian participation at the initial stage, comes as a surprise following Trump's recent ultimatum for Putin to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict by this Friday.
The upcoming summit is a preliminary step towards resolving the conflict, focusing on U.S.-Russia dialogue with plans for Ukraine’s inclusion in subsequent talks.
Trump has stated that the U.S. is willing to help broker peace, emphasizing that any agreement must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine. Putin, on the other hand, may be softening territorial demands, focusing mainly on the Donetsk region rather than seeking control over four Ukrainian regions.
However, the ground situation in Ukraine remains highly unstable, with Russian forces advancing in parts of the eastern front and engaging in drone and missile strikes. President Zelensky has expressed skepticism about Putin’s readiness to end hostilities, noting preparations for further Russian offensives. Ukraine is actively mobilizing diplomatic support from its allies to strengthen its position ahead of potential negotiations.
The diplomatic environment is fluid and delicate. Ukraine and European allies seek to ensure Kyiv’s interests are prioritized, while Russia gains diplomatic recognition through direct talks with the U.S. President, possibly without significant concessions thus far.
The meeting between Trump and Putin is expected to be the first personal meeting between a sitting U.S. President and Putin since the summer of 2021. The Kremlin's focus is for Putin and Trump to meet as equals and to restart the Russian-American relationship after years of strain. Putin has suggested that the United Arab Emirates could be a suitable venue for the summit.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow for talks described as constructive and useful, lasting about three hours. Zelensky and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) agreed that Russia must end its illegal war in Ukraine. Zelensky has also stated that the parameters of how this war will end will shape the security landscape of Europe for decades to come, and that Europe must also be involved in these discussions, as Ukraine is an integral part of Europe.
Zelensky and Merz agreed to maintain close contact with European partners and the U.S. as the situation unfolds. Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to quickly end the conflict, and has threatened sanctions against Russia's trade partners if a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv was not achieved within ten days, and promptly imposed new tariffs on India for its oil deals with Moscow.
Sources:
[1] Associated Press (2025). U.S.-Russia Summit Scheduled for August 15. [online] Available at: https://www.apnews.com/article/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-alaska-summit-46f35d67d9b9831f94893674c33563b9
[2] Reuters (2025). U.S.-Russia Summit: What We Know So Far. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us-russia-summit-what-we-know-so-far-2025-08-01/
[3] The Washington Post (2025). Trump and Putin to Meet in August: What It Means for Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-and-putin-to-meet-in-august-what-it-means-for-ukraine/2025/08/02/8106394e-6586-466b-8a24-c58e1f69b61c_story.html
[4] BBC News (2025). Ukraine Crisis: What's Happening Now? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58557103
Other general news sources report that the ongoing U.S.-Russia policy-and-legislation discussions regarding the Russia-Ukraine war-and-conflicts are gaining momentum, with the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to have implications for future peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are actively mobilizing diplomatic support to strengthen Kyiv's position in the politics surrounding these talks.
