WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 in a bid to broker an end to the Ukraine war- a deal that could hinge on controversial territorial concessions. Trump, announcing the long-anticipated summit on social media, said the talks also involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were “close” to producing a ceasefire after more than three years of bloodshed. But he hinted it could require “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” “This is a moment for strong leadership and pragmatic diplomacy,” Trump said. “Peace is not about giving up it’s about finding a path where everyone wins more than they lose. I am willing to take bold steps to end this war.”
Zelenskiy swiftly rejected the idea. “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupiers,” he declared Saturday, stressing that Ukraine’s constitution forbids ceding territory. “Ukraine will never compromise on its sovereignty. Peace is our goal, but not at the cost of our land, our people, or our constitution.”
The Kremlin confirmed the summit, with Putin aide Yuri Ushakov saying the leaders would “actively and energetically” work toward a lasting peace. “Russia will negotiate in good faith to secure a stable and lasting peace, but the rights of our people and the integrity of our territories will be respected,” Putin stated. But Zelenskiy warned that any deal made without Ukraine’s consent would be “stillborn” and “unworkable.”
Putin claims Crimea and four Ukrainian regions – Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as Russian territory, though his forces do not fully control them. Bloomberg previously reported that U.S. and Russian officials had explored a plan locking in Moscow’s hold on seized land. The White House dismissed the report as speculation, and the Kremlin offered no comment. WNN Media Agency could not independently verify the claims. Kyiv has signaled some flexibility in peace talks but refuses to surrender roughly 20% of its territory. Former U.S. diplomat Tyson Barker predicted such a plan would be “immediately rejected” by Ukraine. If enacted, the deal would see Russia halt offensives in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along current battle lines.
The last major Alaska summit, in 2021, saw Biden-era officials clash publicly with Chinese counterparts in Anchorage. This time, Trump back in the White House since January is banking on face-to-face diplomacy with Moscow, alternating between praise and pressure on Putin. Frustrated by continued fighting, Trump recently threatened new tariffs and sanctions targeting Russia and nations buying its exports. On Wednesday, his administration slapped a 25% tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports the first financial penalty aimed at Moscow in his second term.
This week, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff held three hours of “constructive” talks with Putin in Moscow. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a staunch Ukraine ally, said Friday there were “signals” of a possible pause in the conflict, though not necessarily an end. “We must ensure any agreement protects Ukraine’s independence and Europe’s stability. Freezing the conflict is not enough we need a just peace,” Tusk said. He described Zelenskiy as “very cautious but optimistic” and eager for Poland and other European nations to help shape any ceasefire or final settlement.
— EMMY SMITH
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