Trump, Putin summit to take place in Alaska with or without Zelensky
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Trump will meet with Putin in Alaska on August 15, even if Zelensky does not attend.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, front, bids farewell to United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, August 7, 2025 (Sputnik)
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week will go ahead even if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not attend, signalling a shift from earlier White House conditions linking the summit to direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported, citing sources close to the Ukrainian President, Zelensky was alarmed by Trump's decision to hold a face-to-face meeting with Russian President in Alaska without inviting Ukraine to participate.
Asked by reporters whether Putin would need to meet Zelensky in order for the US-Russia talks to take place, Trump was unequivocal: “No, he doesn’t. No.” This marked a departure from an earlier statement by a White House official suggesting that a Putin-Zelensky meeting was necessary for a summit to occur. That official later clarified that such a meeting was not an absolute requirement, but its absence would make the event less likely.
According to a senior US official and several individuals briefed on the matter, the White House is weighing the possibility of inviting Zelensky to Alaska, where Trump is set to meet Putin on August 15. “It’s being discussed,” one source said, adding that no final decision has been reached. Another official noted that the US president “absolutely” sees the potential for Zelensky’s participation, though it remains uncertain whether the Ukrainian leader would be in the same room as Putin should he attend.
US open to trilateral summit
The White House maintains that the president remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders but is currently focused on preparing the bilateral talks requested by the Kremlin.
The flurry of diplomatic activity comes after Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow ahead of a deadline the US president set for the Russian leader to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions. Putin has so far refused to commit to a ceasefire but has proposed a framework that would allow Moscow to retain control of significant portions of Ukrainian territory.
Trump, speaking on Friday, suggested that any eventual agreement might involve “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.” Zelensky has firmly rejected such proposals, declaring that Ukrainians “will not give their land to occupiers” and warning that any decisions made without Ukraine’s consent would be “decisions against peace.”
The Ukrainian president also criticized Moscow’s approach, accusing it of attempting to trade Ukrainian land for strategic advantage, which he said would only pave the way for further hostilities.
US wants to give Donbass, Crimea to Russia
CBS News has reported that the White House is seeking to persuade European allies to accept a peace plan under which Russia would take full control of the Donbass region and retain Crimea.
European leaders have pushed back, issuing a joint statement with the European Commission that stressed, “The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine” and reiterated that “international borders must not be changed by force.”
The statement, signed by leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission, affirmed their continued diplomatic, military, and financial support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that "Ukrainians will not give their land to occupiers," responding to Donald Trump's suggestion that ending the war might involve "some swapping of territories," ahead of a planned meeting with Putin.
The Ukrainian president stated that Kiev was prepared for genuine solutions that could secure peace but emphasized that any agreements made without Ukraine would undermine it, saying, "Any decisions against us, any decisions without Ukraine, are also decisions against peace. They will achieve nothing," while also asserting that the war "cannot be ended without us, without Ukraine."
US, Russia holding talks on deal
The United States and Russia are holding talks to reach an agreement aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and cementing the territorial realities established by Moscow during its military operation, Bloomberg reported on Friday.
According to the report, officials from both sides are discussing details related to the areas under Russian control, in preparation for a potential summit between Putin and Trump.
Putin stated on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates is a suitable venue to host a meeting with Trump.
His remarks came during talks at the Kremlin with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where the two leaders discussed regional affairs and bilateral cooperation.
Putin's comments align with recent reports that the Kremlin and US officials are working to finalize details for a summit between Putin and Trump, possibly taking place as early as next week.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the UAE is one of the leading candidates to host the event, given its neutral stance and strong diplomatic ties with both Moscow and Washington.
US envoy in Moscow for pre-summit consultations
In a related development, President Putin held what the Kremlin described as "constructive" talks with US Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff in Moscow earlier this week.
The three-hour meeting focused primarily on the conflict in Ukraine and explored terms for a potential ceasefire agreement.
According to US media reports, the Trump administration has pushed for direct engagement with Russia to accelerate negotiations aimed at halting hostilities, with a view to bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the table, though Kiev has not confirmed its participation in any future summit.
As the groundwork for a Trump-Putin summit nears completion, European leaders are watching closely. Ukrainian President Zelensky has recently held consultations with EU allies, urging that any peace framework include Ukraine and respect its sovereignty, amid fears that a bilateral US-Russia deal could marginalize Kiev's interests.
