President Donald Trump of the United States and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, in an effort to find common ground that could lead to a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Trump had previously indicated that he believed Indian crude oil purchases were funding Russia’s arsenal. This meeting between Russia and the US could mark a turning point in their bilateral relationship and potentially benefit India. Ahead of the summit, Trump stated that he believed Putin was ready to seek peace. The meeting is scheduled for August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Alaska. Trump expressed his opinion that both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky would work toward peace, with a subsequent meeting also planned with Zelensky and possibly European leaders.
“We have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow. I think it’s gonna be a good meeting, but the more important meeting will be the second meeting that we’re having. We’re gonna have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, me, and maybe we’ll bring some of the European leaders along, maybe not,” he said. “We’re going to see what happens. And I think President Putin will make peace. I think President Zelensky will make peace. We’ll see if they can get along. And if they can, it’ll be great,” he added. Trump referred to the Russia–Ukraine conflict as “Biden’s War” and said it would not have happened under his presidency, stressing that he would know quickly whether a deal could be struck.
The primary discussion points will involve the terms for a potential ceasefire. The two leaders will discuss how such a deal could work, including possible territorial concessions. Trump suggested that Ukraine and Russia could swap territory to reach a common goal. Analysts believe that Putin will seek Ukraine’s withdrawal from parts of Donetsk that Ukrainian troops still control, which would give Russia full control of the Donbas region. In exchange, Russia might consider giving up its control of the smaller regions of Sumy and Kharkiv.