President Donald Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, marking their first meeting since 2019 and the first talks between a sitting U.S. and Russian leader since 2021.
The summit comes as Trump faces a self-imposed deadline for Putin to accept a peace deal or risk financial penalties. Trump told reporters at the White House the conflict “could be solved very soon,” but signaled that Ukraine might have to cede territory to Russia—an idea Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected.
“The answer to Ukraine’s territorial question is already in the constitution of Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a Saturday address. “Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier.”
The Kremlin has reportedly demanded that Ukraine relinquish the eastern Donbas region, most of which Russia currently controls, along with Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. Additional demands include Ukraine abandoning its NATO membership bid, lifting Western sanctions, and releasing $300 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets.
Trump has not confirmed the specifics of any proposal, but he has long argued that land concessions may be necessary for peace. Foreign Minister David Lammy and Vice President J.D. Vance are set to meet Ukrainian and European leaders in the U.K. ahead of the Alaska talks.
The meeting’s location carries historical weight—Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million, ending its presence in North America. Some Russian nationalists have since called for its return. Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton criticized the venue choice, calling it “a great victory for Putin.”
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska welcomed the opportunity for diplomacy but urged caution. “I hope these discussions lead to genuine progress and help end the war on equitable terms,” she said.
European leaders have voiced strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. French President Emmanuel Macron, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Zelensky on Saturday to reaffirm their stance.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its military campaign. Over the weekend, Russian drones launched more than 45 strikes across Ukraine, killing at least two people and injuring six when a minibus was hit.
The Alaska summit is expected to draw intense global scrutiny as both leaders navigate deeply entrenched positions. While Trump insists a deal can be struck quickly, Zelensky warns that any agreement made without Ukraine’s participation would not bring lasting peace.
