Next Friday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to convene in Alaska to discuss the future of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Trump took to social media to announce the meeting scheduled for August 15, a detail that a spokesperson from the Kremlin subsequently verified. The spokesperson remarked that the choice of location was “quite logical,” considering Alaska’s closeness to Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised the necessity of including Ukraine in any proposed solutions, expressing his willingness to collaborate with all partners to achieve a “lasting peace”.
Hours after former President Trump suggested that Ukraine may need to relinquish territory to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, the announcement of the meeting was made. This war, which commenced with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, continues to dominate international discussions.
What we see here is a region that has been the centre of conflict for three and a half years, resulting in significant loss of life among Russian forces. “A significant number of Ukrainians have lost their lives,” Trump stated during a press briefing at the White House on Friday.
The situation is quite complex. We will retrieve some and make some changes. Territorial exchanges are set to occur, promising improvements for all parties involved.
The president of the United States refrained from elaborating on the specifics of the proposed plan.
Reports indicate that the White House is actively engaging with European leaders to secure an agreement that would see Russia retain control over the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, as well as Crimea, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The proposed agreement would entail relinquishing control over the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, which are currently partially occupied, according to CBS reports.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal revealed that President Putin had suggested a comparable arrangement to Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, during a recent meeting held in Moscow.
The prospects of Ukraine and its European allies reaching an agreement on the proposed deal remain uncertain, as President Zelensky and President Putin continue to hold significantly divergent views on the terms for peace.
Zelensky has consistently dismissed any preconditions regarding territorial concessions.
In a statement shared on Telegram on Saturday, the president of Ukraine emphasised, “The solution to the Ukrainian territorial issue is already outlined in the Constitution of Ukraine.” This is a matter from which no one can or will diverge. Ukrainians are resolute in their determination to retain their territory against the occupier.
He stated, “Any solutions that exclude us, any solutions that do not involve Ukraine, are inherently solutions against peace,” emphasising that his nation is prepared for “genuine solutions” that foster peace.
“We stand prepared, alongside President Trump and all our partners, to strive for a genuine and, crucially, enduring peace—one that will not falter due to the desires of Moscow.”
A senior official from the White House informed CBS that preparations for the meeting scheduled for next Friday remain fluid, indicating that there is still a possibility of Zelensky’s involvement in some capacity.
Moscow has not secured a significant breakthrough in its extensive invasion, yet it currently controls approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Despite Ukrainian offensives, Russian forces remain unmoved.
Despite three rounds of direct negotiations held in Istanbul, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remains unresolved. The military and political conditions set forth by Moscow for a potential peace agreement are perceived by Kyiv and its allies as tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation.
Russia’s demands encompass Ukraine’s transition to a neutral state, a significant reduction of its military capabilities, the renunciation of its aspirations to join NATO, and the removal of Western sanctions that have been imposed on Russia.
Moscow is demanding that Kyiv remove its military forces from the four regions currently under partial Russian occupation in south-east Ukraine, as well as demobilise its soldiers.
On Friday, Trump maintained that the United States had “a shot at” achieving a trilateral peace agreement involving the countries in question.
“European leaders are advocating for peace, President Putin appears to desire peace, and President Zelensky is also seeking peace,” he stated to reporters.
“President Zelensky must secure all necessary resources as he prepares to finalise an agreement, and I believe he is diligently working towards that goal,” Trump stated.
In a recent media interaction, Trump revealed that he had considered the possibility of a deal to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with Russia on four separate occasions last month. “While I feel a sense of disappointment towards him [Putin], my engagement with him is far from over.”
In recent weeks, he has taken a firmer position against the Kremlin, setting a deadline of Friday, August 8, for Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine or confront more extensive sanctions.
As the deadline loomed, the looming economic threat was rapidly eclipsed by the anticipated in-person meeting between Trump and Putin, aimed at discussing a potential peace agreement.
On Friday, the White House did not issue any announcements regarding additional sanctions on Russia.
In February, Trump and Putin engaged in a phone conversation, marking the first direct communication between the two leaders since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
In 2021, the most recent meeting between a US president and Vladimir Putin took place during a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, where Joe Biden engaged with the Russian leader.
