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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet on Friday for the first time in six years, with discussions potentially focusing on a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump has warned of “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to agree to a ceasefire during the summit, which will be held at a secluded U.S. Army base in snowy Anchorage, Alaska. However, there are concerns that they might explore an agreement allowing Russia to keep Ukrainian territories it currently occupies — a proposal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
Putin’s legacy at stake — and his demands likely high
For Putin, the war must end with a tangible victory. Three and a half years after launching the invasion, he needs to show that Russia’s sacrifices were not in vain. Any deal he accepts will likely include full control over the four Ukrainian regions Moscow has claimed, a commitment to Ukrainian neutrality, and restrictions on Kyiv’s military.
Putin may try to persuade Trump that these terms are the fastest route to peace, suggesting that the alternative is a decisive Russian win on the battlefield. If Trump were to agree, Ukraine could be faced with the ultimatum: accept the terms or lose U.S. backing.
Even if no agreement is reached this week, Putin might aim to keep negotiations alive by offering Trump the prospect of lucrative U.S.-Russia business deals — reinforcing the Kremlin’s message that improved relations could bring more than just an end to the war.
Kyiv views the meeting with suspicion
Ukrainian officials would prefer this meeting wasn’t happening at all, believing it rewards Putin by restoring his place on the world stage. Trump had appeared ready to escalate sanctions against Russia before agreeing to meet, a move Ukraine sees as a setback.
Kyiv’s priorities remain clear: a ceasefire before talks begin, binding security guarantees to deter future aggression, and reparations funded by frozen Russian assets in the West.
They fear Trump could be swayed by the economic potential of renewed U.S.-Russia ties, even if it means compromising Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Such a deal could allow Russia to regroup, rearm, and resume hostilities in the future.
Trump’s pride and political promise
For Trump, the optics of shaking hands with Putin on American soil appeal to his vanity and preference for headline-making moments. He also faces pressure to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the war swiftly — a promise that has so far gone unmet, with this meeting marking more than 200 days in office without a breakthrough.
Trump sees himself as the ultimate dealmaker, eager to demonstrate his unique negotiation style as more effective than that of past presidents. He hopes the face-to-face with Putin will mark a turning point, though the Russian leader may have very different intentions.
