High-Stakes in the North: Trump and Putin Convene in Anchorage for Critical Ukraine Peace Talks
The summit in Anchorage marks the first face-to-face meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders since June 2021.
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday for a highly anticipated summit aimed at finding a path to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The meeting, the first direct summit between the two nuclear powers since June 2021, carries immense weight for global security, with the leaders navigating deeply conflicting agendas and the looming expiration of a key arms control treaty.
The Trump-Putin Anchorage summit is being scrutinized by global allies and adversaries alike. At stake is the potential for a ceasefire in a conflict that has reshaped European geopolitics, as well as the future of nuclear arms control between Washington and Moscow. While the White House has expressed hope for a breakthrough, Ukrainian officials remain firm in their position, and European allies have voiced concerns over the unpredictable nature of the talks. The summit is taking place at a military base in Anchorage, a city with a history of hosting tense international diplomacy.
President Trump arrived in Alaska expressing confidence that his Russian counterpart is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict. “I’m convinced he wants to make a deal,” Trump stated, suggesting that a “stoppage in fighting” could pave the way for broader negotiations. The U.S. president has floated the possibility of “give and take” on territorial boundaries and land, while also warning of “very severe consequences” and additional sanctions should the meeting fail. If the initial talks are successful, Trump has proposed a second, trilateral meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Putin’s agenda, however, appears to extend beyond the immediate conflict in Ukraine. The Russian leader, who is subject to an international criminal court arrest warrant, is reportedly keen to discuss a new nuclear arms agreement. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which caps the deployed nuclear warheads of both nations at 1,550, is set to expire in February, adding a layer of urgency to the discussions. Furthermore, the inclusion of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov in Putin’s delegation signals a strong push for economic dealmaking and the removal of Western sanctions that have crippled the Russian economy.
For Ukraine, the prospect of negotiations that might involve territorial concessions is a non-starter. President Zelenskyy has adamantly declared that his country “will not give land to the occupier”. A Ukrainian source indicated that any potential trilateral meeting would first require Russia to agree to a complete ceasefire. Zelenskyy has been actively shoring up international support ahead of the summit, meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss potential outcomes.
The choice of Anchorage as the venue highlights Alaska’s unique geopolitical position as a close neighbor to Russia. The local reaction has been mixed, with some residents expressing excitement over the global attention and others voicing trepidation about the potential outcomes. A satirical phrase, “Please don’t sell us back,” has gained traction among some Alaskans, reflecting a deep-seated skepticism toward Putin’s intentions. This sentiment is amplified by broad dissatisfaction with the visit of a leader facing an ICC arrest warrant.
European officials have also expressed caution, noting that President Putin is an “excellent player” who is extensively prepared and could potentially sway President Trump. There is concern that Russia may be using the talks to “buy time” rather than engage in good-faith negotiations.
Despite the high hopes for a breakthrough, officials have tempered expectations for immediate, concrete results. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that no documents are expected to be signed during the summit. However, the leaders are scheduled to hold a joint news conference following their meeting, where the world will be watching for any signs of progress toward peace.
(For further reading, consider exploring the history of the New START treaty and the background of the International Criminal Court’s investigations).
