The upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, is drawing intense international attention. Seen as a pivotal opportunity to ease U.S.–Russia tensions, the meeting could pave the way for a resolution to the Ukraine conflict and open doors for broader strategic cooperation.
According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Moscow expects the summit to “create new momentum in bilateral relations and resolve a number of outstanding issues, including the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.”
Yury Ushakov, an aide to President Putin, confirmed that the agenda will focus on achieving a lasting peace settlement for the Ukraine crisis. The Kremlin has even expressed hopes for the next meeting to be hosted in Russia, signaling its intent to sustain constructive dialogue.
President Donald Trump suggested that U.S.–Russia trade relations “could return to normal” if talks are successful. However, he noted that this meeting will be a preliminary step, potentially leading to a future Russia–Ukraine summit.
One sensitive topic is the possibility that Ukraine may have to cede certain territories in exchange for peace. Analysts interviewed by Izvestia said this could be unavoidable if the war is to end.
Peter Kuznick, a history professor at American University, remarked: “There is no chance for Ukraine to retake Donbass or defeat Russia. The longer the fighting continues, the weaker Ukraine’s position becomes.”
Former U.S. intelligence officer Scott Ritter stressed that the meeting’s importance extends beyond Ukraine, pointing to the looming expiration of the New START arms control treaty in February 2026. Without renewal, he warned, the world could face a costly new arms race.
The European Union convened an emergency meeting of foreign ministers, declaring that any Ukraine peace deal “without the participation of Kyiv and Brussels will be unacceptable.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was equally firm, stating that Ukraine will not recognize any decisions made at the Alaska summit without its involvement, emphasizing that “you cannot talk about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
The Alaska summit could mark a turning point in U.S.–Russia relations, offering a chance to address the Ukraine war and strengthen cooperation on global security and economic issues. However, the meeting’s success will depend on finding common ground between all parties and sustaining dialogue amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
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