Trump modifies assumptions as he consults with Putin, aiming for resolution to Ukraine conflict
In a bid to broker a peace deal and end the three-year war with Ukraine, President Donald Trump is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit meeting in Alaska. The high-stakes encounter, marked by a warm handshake and a red carpet welcome, took place on Thursday.
The U.S. delegation attending the lunch includes Sen. Marco Rubio, Special U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The Russian side is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Aide Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
However, the current status of peace talks appears stalled. Despite Trump's efforts to facilitate a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, significant progress has not been achieved. The Russian side has shown little interest in pursuing lasting peace, with Lavrov emphasizing Russia's need for a key role in any security guarantees for Ukraine.
Recent diplomatic efforts, including summits in Alaska and Washington D.C., have not led to meaningful breakthroughs. Zelenskyy has accused Russia of trying to prevent a meeting with Putin. Trump had suggested setting up a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, but Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov indicated that the agenda is not ready for such a meeting.
Trump initially set an August 8 deadline for Putin to end the war in Ukraine or face sanctions, but this deadline has been shifted, and Trump now suggests giving Russia "a couple of weeks" before imposing consequences. If the two sides make progress, Trump has said he might prolong the trip and invite Zelenskyy to fly in and take part in further talks.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin stemming from his conduct in the war, but the U.S. is not a signatory to the court. Putin was spotted in Alaska wearing a shirt with the Cyrillic letters "CCCP," a reference to the old Soviet Union.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has expressed concern that the summit may legitimize Putin and his actions in Ukraine. Zelenskyy, on the other hand, wrote on Twitter that the meeting should open up a real path toward a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format – Ukraine, the United States, and the Russian side.
Trump has pushed for the two nations to end the fighting as he makes an increasingly public campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He has stated that he wants a ceasefire rapidly and is not happy if it is not today. Trump has suggested that some mutual "swapping" of territories would be part of a ceasefire. However, Zelenskyy has stated that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.
The men rode alone, with no aides present, after the warm handshake and red carpet welcome. Trump, before departing for Alaska, wrote on his Truth Social platform, "High stakes!!!" to reflect the drama and intrigue surrounding the summit. Trump is set to hold a news conference after his meeting and working lunch with Putin, and then fly home Friday night.
Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Adviser in Trump's first term, noted that Putin's agreement to come to America for the summit is significant, as Putin's policy is about recovering what he believes to be former Russian Empire territory. The territory of Alaska, which was once part of Russia, is seen as a positive signal for the talks by Russian commentators and political elite.
As the summit progresses, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a breakthrough that could bring peace to Ukraine and perhaps earn Trump the coveted Nobel Peace Prize.
- Despite the warm handshake and red carpet welcome, the current status of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia remains stalled, with little progress made in the political arena, as evidenced by the ongoing war-and-conflicts.
- The U.S. capital is hosting a crucial summit meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that could potentially impact general-news headlines and global politics, as the world watches with bated breath for any breakthroughs.
