WASHINGTON — A major world event is about to happen. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska. The goal? To try and end the three-and-a-half-year war in Ukraine.
Trump made the big announcement on social media, saying that he believes a ceasefire deal is close. The plan could stop the fighting — but it might also mean Ukraine giving up a large amount of its land to Russia.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump hinted that any agreement could involve swapping territories so “both sides benefit.”
The Kremlin confirmed the meeting, with Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov saying both leaders will “focus on achieving a long-term peaceful resolution” but warning that it will be a difficult process.
🇺🇦 Zelenskyy Responds with Caution
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a ceasefire could be possible — but only if enough pressure is put on Russia. He revealed that he’s been in constant talks with leaders around the world and has kept in close contact with the U.S.
The problem? Putin claims ownership of four Ukrainian regions — Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — plus Crimea, which Russia took in 2014. Russian forces don’t fully control all of these areas, but they want to keep what they’ve seized.
Reports from Bloomberg suggested U.S. and Russian officials may be working on a deal that would officially let Moscow keep some of the territory it took. The White House called this “speculation,” and Russia didn’t comment.
For Ukraine, giving up around 20% of its land would be heartbreaking and politically dangerous for Zelenskyy’s government. Experts, like former U.S. State Department official Tyson Barker, believe Ukraine would reject such a deal outright.
🌍 A High-Stakes Meeting in Alaska
The last time Alaska hosted such an intense diplomatic gathering was in March 2021, when U.S. and Chinese officials clashed publicly during talks. This time, the stakes are even higher — the deadliest war in Europe since World War II could be on the line.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has tried to improve relations with Russia and bring the war to an end. But his feelings toward Putin have swung between praise and criticism. Recently, Trump even threatened new sanctions unless Russia agreed to stop its military assault.
On Wednesday, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow for three hours. Both sides called the talks “constructive.”
⚠ Signs of a Possible Pause in the War
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a close ally of Ukraine, said there are “signals” that a freeze in the conflict might be near — though it may not mean a full end to the war. He described Zelenskyy as “cautious but optimistic” and said Ukraine wants Poland and other European nations involved in any ceasefire or peace talks.
With the Alaska summit now set, the world will be watching closely to see if Trump and Putin can turn tense negotiations into a historic peace — or if the war will continue.
