Trump to Meet Putin in Alaska Amid Ukraine Peace Proposal

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump

Trump to Meet Putin in Alaska Amid Ukraine Peace Proposal

By Paul V. Young – TheNationWeek.Com  | August 11, 2025

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Friday evening that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday (Aug. 15, 2025).

This announcement came after a day of previewing a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine—a deal that could include territorial concessions by Kyiv.

“The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

The meeting, the first between the two leaders since July 2018, marks a significant development in the relationship between Trump and Putin, who has not visited the U.S. since 2015.

Ukraine Peace Plan Details Emerge

U.S. officials, including Trump, have reportedly briefed European and Ukrainian leaders on a plan presented by Putin to halt the war in Ukraine.

According to Western officials, the plan would require Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region—largely occupied by Russia—and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

The proposal would freeze current battle lines, though other details remain unclear.

The plan has raised concerns among some European officials, who fear it is an attempt by Putin to evade Trump’s threatened sanctions, which were due Friday, while offering little in return.

However, the proposal appears to have spurred Trump to arrange the summit with Putin.

Negotiations, Concerns

Over the past two days, additional calls have occurred with European leaders, including discussions with Trump’s foreign envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Witkoff reportedly told European officials that Putin’s proposal was a step in the right direction, suggesting a larger peace plan could be negotiated once the fighting stops.

It remains unclear what the plan would mean for the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in Ukraine, where Russia controls some territory, beyond Russia ceasing its offensive.

There is also no clarity on how Putin’s proposal would address other demands, such as a pledge that Ukraine never join NATO or that it limit its military.

The possibility of Russia controlling Donetsk and Luhansk has raised concerns that such an agreement could encourage future Russian aggression.

“Official recognition of territory conquered by force without a cost is an incentive to do more in the future,” one European official said.

Trump’s Optimism

Despite previous frustrations with Russia’s handling of the conflict, Trump seemed more optimistic about the prospect of a peace deal.

“The European leaders want to see peace,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace, and Zelensky wants to see peace.”

He later added, “My instinct really tells me that we have a shot at peace.”

Challenges Ahead

The prospect of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia could prove a major obstacle, as such concessions are against the Ukrainian constitution.

Zelensky would need permission from parliament or a national referendum before agreeing to any territorial changes.

Trump downplayed these concerns, saying he had urged Zelensky to facilitate an agreement.

Background

Trump and Putin have met face-to-face six times during the U.S. president’s first term, largely at international summits.

Their last meeting was in July 2018 in Helsinki, Finland, a summit that sparked controversy after Trump sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies.

Putin last met with a U.S. president, Joe Biden, in June 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.