Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska

Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska: A Cold Setting for a Hot Conflict

Anchorage, Alaska August 15, 2025

Today, all eyes were on Alaska as former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for one of the most anticipated meetings in years. The two leaders met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a location loaded with both symbolism and strategy.

Why Alaska Was Chosen

Alaska isn’t just a random choice—it used to belong to Russia before the U.S. bought it in 1867. It’s also geographically between Washington and Moscow, making it a neutral middle ground. Another practical reason? It’s outside the reach of the International Criminal Court, which has an arrest warrant out for Putin. Holding the meeting here avoids that complication.

Main Goal: Stop the War

The purpose of this summit is clear—try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since Russia invaded in 2022, the conflict has caused huge loss of life, displaced millions, and thrown Europe into turmoil. Trump has promised to push for a ceasefire “today, not tomorrow,” calling this meeting a last chance to stop the bloodshed.

But there’s a big problem—Ukraine isn’t even invited. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was left out, and he’s not happy about it. He warned, “Talks about us, without us, will not work.” Many European leaders agree, saying leaving Ukraine out risks a deal that benefits Russia more than peace.

Making a Statement Without Words

The atmosphere was tense even before talks began. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived wearing a sweatshirt with “CCCP” printed in bold letters—the old Soviet Union’s initials in Russian. It was a not-so-subtle reminder of Moscow’s Cold War past and its current ambitions.

Putin’s delegation was also carefully chosen. Alongside seasoned diplomats, he brought economic and military figures, hinting that discussions might include not just the war, but sanctions, trade, and long-term U.S.–Russia relations.

What Trump Wants

For Trump, this is both a political challenge and an opportunity. He campaigned on promises to end the war quickly, and now the world is watching to see if he can deliver. His approach is to pressure both sides—urging Putin to stop attacks while also pushing Ukraine to negotiate. But by keeping Ukraine out of this first meeting, Trump risks looking like he’s making decisions over their heads.

Before the summit, Trump stressed he wasn’t “negotiating for Ukraine,” but he made it clear he expects Kyiv to join the process later.

What Gains Putin

For Putin, the benefits are more immediate. Simply being here signals that Russia isn’t completely isolated anymore. He can present himself as a leader willing to talk peace—on his own terms. The timing is also no coincidence. In the days before the summit, Russian forces kept attacking Ukrainian cities, a move many see as an attempt to walk into talks from a position of strengt

How the World Sees It

The reactions are split. Some European leaders worry this could be another “great power deal” where a smaller nation’s future gets decided without them—history has shown that rarely ends well. Others think that, despite the risks, any conversation is better than endless fighting, especially given the war’s impact on global food prices, energy costs, and tr

What Could Happen Next

Nobody expects a full peace deal today. At best, this meeting might lay the groundwork for future talks. Rumors suggest a possible phased ceasefire: Russia would stop its offensives in exchange for some sanctions relief, while leaving territorial disputes for later. But this idea will be controversial, especially in Ukraine and in Washington.

For now, the two men are behind closed doors in Anchorage, with the world waiting to see if this cold setting can produce any real thaw in one of the hottest conflicts of our time.