Next Friday, Alaska: Trump, Putin to discuss Ukraine conflict and land swaps at first US-Russia summit since 2021

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed the details of the meeting.

The summit will mark the first high-level US-Russia meeting since 2021, when then-President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.

Possible breakthrough but no guarantees

Trump said the meeting could lead to progress in his push to end the conflict. However, he acknowledged there is no guarantee of halting the fighting, as Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their peace conditions.

Both leaders ‘want peace’

The U.S. president expressed confidence that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seek a peaceful resolution. “In all fairness to President Zelenskyy, he’s getting everything he needs to, assuming we get something done,” Trump said.

Talk of territory swaps

Trump indicated that a peace deal would likely involve Ukraine and Russia exchanging some territories they currently control. “Nothing easy,” he said. “But we’re gonna get some back. We’re gonna get some switched. There’ll be some swapping of territories, to the betterment of both.”

Security delays the meeting

Trump told reporters the meeting could have been held earlier than August 15 but was delayed due to necessary security arrangements.