Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska on Friday for their first talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Trump says he wants a deal to end the war, but Ukraine and its European allies fear any agreement that gives up Ukrainian territory could embolden Putin to push further into Europe. With Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield, much is at stake.
Europe’s leaders worry that if Russia is allowed to absorb parts of Ukraine, it could become more aggressive toward Nato allies such as Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.
Trump agreed to the summit last week – a change in course after weeks of criticising Putin for resisting his peace proposals.
While Trump has recently taken a tougher tone, he has a history of trying to placate the Russian leader. It is unclear if he will keep a hard line or be swayed by Putin’s argument that Russia has a right to dominate Ukraine.
Trump has described the Alaska talks – at the Joint Base Elmendorf‑Richardson military base near Anchorage – as “setting the table” for a quick follow-up meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Land swap idea
Trump has threatened “severe consequences” if Putin refuses a peace deal, without saying what those consequences would be.
He has suggested the agreement could involve a land swap. Russia controls about a fifth of Ukraine, and such a deal would cement those gains.
Zelensky has rejected any plan that gives up territory. European allies share his fear that such an arrangement would encourage Putin to expand further into Europe.
Security guarantees
For Europe, any deal must include security guarantees for Ukraine. During a virtual meeting with European leaders and Zelenskiy on Wednesday, Trump reportedly signalled support, but gave no details and made no public mention of it afterwards.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who hosted the meeting, said Trump “said he is on board” with guarantees.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump insisted Nato should not be part of the guarantees, which he called “an important clarification”.
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Russia’s position
Russia is unlikely to accept European demands or to give up any territory it holds.
A Kremlin aide said the Alaska summit will also discuss the “huge untapped potential” of US–Russia economic ties, along with ways to end the war.
In televised remarks on Thursday after meeting his ministers and security officials, Putin said nuclear arms control would be raised as part of wider security talks.-
