Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met on Friday at a Cold War-era air base in Alaska, their first face-to-face since Trump’s return to the White House, with discussions focused on securing a Ukraine ceasefire and the prospect of a new nuclear arms agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy and European allies, excluded from the summit, fear Trump may pressure Kyiv into territorial concessions.
For Trump, a truce in Europe’s biggest land war since World War Two could cement his image as a global peacemaker. For Putin, the meeting signals Russia’s return to high-level diplomacy despite years of Western isolation, while offering a chance to ease sanctions pressure. The Russian leader has hinted at compromises, possibly on the air war, but maintains stringent conditions for a full ceasefire.
Trump has alternated between optimism and caution, suggesting land transfers might unlock progress while insisting Ukraine be involved in any final deal. Zelenskiyy has firmly rejected ceding territory, warning Putin is stalling to avoid further US sanctions.
Putin, whose forces hold nearly 20% of Ukraine, seeks full control of Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, NATO exclusion for Kyiv, and limits on Ukraine’s military — terms Kyiv deems surrender. Analysts warn any ceasefire leaving Russia free to escalate would serve Putin’s interests while giving Trump a symbolic win.
Both leaders left open the possibility of a follow-up three-way summit with Zelenskiyy, though whether real compromises will emerge remains uncertain.
