In a significant diplomatic development, President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. This meeting aims to foster dialogue that could pave the way for a lasting ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has persisted for three years.
This anticipated meeting represents another chapter in Trump’s efforts to resolve the conflict, a promise he made during his campaign last year when he claimed he could end the war within a mere 24 hours if elected.
Importantly, this will mark the first visit by Putin to the United States in a decade, and notably, it is the first time a Russian leader has traveled to Alaska.
Ahead of the meeting, President Trump has sought to temper expectations but has issued a warning that Russia could face “serious consequences” if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire arrangement.
**Meeting Details**
The meeting will take place at the US military’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage around 11:30 AM Alaska time (19:30 GMT), although the schedule may be subject to change.
The delegation accompanying Putin includes key Russian officials such as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
However, the members accompanying President Trump from the US side have yet to be disclosed.
**Absence of Zelenskyy and European Leaders**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be present at the Alaska meeting, nor will any European leaders. This absence draws attention, especially given the gravity of the discussions at hand.
In an earlier press briefing, Trump commented on Zelenskyy’s exclusion, suggesting that after three years in power, the Ukrainian president had not effectively worked towards resolving the conflict.
Analyst Neil Melvin from the Royal United Services Institute underscored the sidelining of European leaders, suggesting they are viewed merely as observers in a matter fundamentally affecting their security and stability.
As a precursor to the summit, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance held a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and other European counterparts to discuss the situation. Zelenskyy participated from Berlin, with other leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Finland, and Poland also in attendance, alongside prominent European officials like Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte.
**The Significance of the Alaska Venue**
Alaska serves as a strategically significant location for this summit. Geographically, it is the nearest point between the US and Russia, with areas of Alaska closer to Russia than to the US mainland. The region carries historical significance as it was colonized by the old Russian empire and later sold to the US in 1867.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where the two leaders will convene, has its own historical importance. Established in 1940, the base grew to be a key military site during the Cold War due to concerns over potential Soviet threats.
Despite the venue’s historical and geographic significance, the reasons for choosing Alaska for the summit have not been explicitly detailed by the US administration.
**Agenda for the Meeting**
Central to the agenda of the meeting will be discussions surrounding the terms of a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Leaders Trump and Putin will explore what a ceasefire might entail, potentially addressing land concessions on both sides.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian military operations have resulted in control over approximately 19 percent of Ukrainian territory, including regions such as Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, and parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson.
As analysts review the situation, Trump has suggested the possibility of territorial swaps to reach an agreement. However, his statements have drawn mixed reactions, particularly from Ukrainian officials and European leaders concerned about the implications of such negotiations.
**Potential for Land Swaps**
Speculating on the possibility of land exchanges raises questions about what concessions might be anticipated from both sides. Trump had initially suggested that both Ukraine and Russia could benefit from territorial swaps, although he later tempered his comments amid backlash from European allies.
In recommending land exchanges, some analysts believe that Russia will press for Ukraine to pull back from parts of the Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control, effectively solidifying Russia’s hold on the Donbas area.
While Russia currently controls much of Luhansk, analysts indicate that conceding these territories could be part of any negotiated settlement, with territorial adjustments potentially impacting future security arrangements.
On the other hand, Ukraine would be expected to maintain its sovereignty over key regions, especially given its stated refusal to cede territory to occupation.
**Trump’s Expectations for the Summit**
Trump has framed the upcoming meeting as an opportunity for a candid exchange of ideas between himself and Putin, aiming to gauge the Russian leader’s perspectives and desires.
He has also hinted that a subsequent meeting may be organized, potentially involving both Zelenskyy and Putin, with Trump likely assuming a mediating role.
Yet Trump’s tone has shifted, signaling to Russia that there will be serious consequences should the Anchorage meeting yield no progress toward peace. The specific nature of these potential repercussions remains vague but could involve renewed economic sanctions.
Currently, Russia is subject to extensive sanctions from the West, impacting its economy and energy exports significantly. As a backdrop to the meeting, US officials have also indicated potential actions against countries maintaining connections with Russia, particularly regarding oil purchases.
**What Russia Seeks from the Meeting**
Moscow has outlined its expectations leading up to the talks. Proposals mentioned by Russian officials suggest a ceasefire contingent upon Ukraine abandoning its NATO ambitions and significant disarmament, along with the cession of territorial control in Donbas.
Moscow envisions any agreement not just as an end to hostilities but also as a pathway to revitalizing US-Russia relations. The Russian delegation has even hinted at willingness to present economic investments as part of their diplomatic overtures.
**Ukraine and Europe’s Demands at the Talks**
In stark contrast to Russian proposals, Ukraine asserts that it will not entertain any form of territorial concession. Zelenskyy has underscored this unwavering position, declaring that Ukraine will not ‘gift land to the occupier,’ rooted in both legal and moral grounds.
European leaders remain apprehensive about the potential outcomes of the Anchorage meeting. Following the recent discussions, key European leaders have insisted that any agreements affecting territorial arrangements must not proceed without Ukrainian representation.
They further stress that adequate security guarantees from Russia must be integral to any peace settlement, ensuring Ukraine’s protection against future invasions. Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine should retain its NATO aspirations despite any ceasefire deal.
**Calculating the Meeting’s Outcome**
Some analysts hold a cautiously optimistic view regarding the session’s potential to lay foundations for peace discussions. Yet, the essential challenge remains whether Ukraine would consent to any agreements brokered by Trump and Putin that classify as unpalatable.
Others express skepticism, interpreting the meeting as a tactical move by Russia to delay confrontation with the US while maintaining its aggressive military stance in Ukraine. They posit that the overarching trend may lead to a series of declarations but ultimately result in a continuation of hostilities.
As both leaders prepare to engage in this pivotal meeting in Alaska, its outcomes could shape the geopolitical landscape involving Ukraine, Russia, and the West for the foreseeable future.
image source from：aljazeera
