United States President Donald Trump has announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, hinting that any potential peace agreement could involve a controversial “swapping” of territory.
The announcement came as Trump’s self-imposed deadline for Moscow to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire passed without any commitments. Speaking at the White House on Friday, while hosting leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan, Trump said the talks would “start off with Russia” and might include a territorial exchange.
“It’s very complicated. But we’re going to get some back, and we’re going to get some switched… there’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” Trump told reporters.
Ukraine opposes territorial concessions
Kyiv and its European allies have long rejected any peace plan requiring Ukraine to cede land to Russia, including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia. Moscow, however, insists that any agreement must include recognition of territories it has seized since 2014.
The planned meeting in Alaska raises logistical questions due to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. While the US is not an ICC member and does not recognise its authority, many other countries would be obligated to detain him if he travelled there.
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Previously, the Kremlin had floated holding the talks in the United Arab Emirates, another non-ICC member. But Trump announced via Truth Social that he would instead welcome Putin to Alaska — the US state closest to Russia across the Bering Strait.
Deadline passes with no ceasefire deal
Friday’s meeting announcement coincided with the expiration of Trump’s deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire. Weeks of frustration over Moscow’s continued attacks and unwillingness to compromise had led Trump to threaten sanctions and tariffs on Russian allies.
Read here: Trump opens door to solo Putin meeting
Earlier this week, Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over its purchase of Russian oil. Still, he maintained optimism, citing “great progress” after his envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow.
Analysts remain sceptical, warning that recognising Russia’s control of occupied territories could embolden future aggression.
“Official recognition of territory conquered by force… could incentivize Russia to do more attacks on Ukraine again,” one European official said.
Uncertainty ahead of Alaska talks
It remains unclear whether Trump’s “land swap” proposal would satisfy Russia’s other demands, such as blocking Ukraine’s NATO membership and limiting its military size.
For now, Trump insists he is focused on ending hostilities quickly. “The European leaders want to see peace. President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace, and Zelensky wants to see peace,” he said.
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