Washington D.C.: In a significant diplomatic development, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, marking a rare high-stakes dialogue between Washington and Moscow. The talks come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, following Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on India over its energy trade with Russia and his renewed push to end the war in Ukraine.
The announcement was made by Trump on Truth Social, where he wrote, “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump hinted that any potential Ukraine peace agreement could involve territorial adjustments. “There’ll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both,” he said, without elaborating on the specifics.
The Kremlin has also confirmed the meeting, with senior aide Yuri Ushakov stating that both sides had agreed to the August 15 talks. However, Ushakov suggested Russia had invited Trump to hold the meeting on Russian soil, calling it a “natural” choice. Despite this, reports indicate that Alaska remains the likely venue.
According to Ushakov, the central focus of the talks will be exploring “long-term, peaceful solutions” to the Ukraine crisis. He acknowledged the complexity of the task but said both nations were prepared to engage “actively and energetically” in the process.
Trump, who has sought to position himself as a peace broker, has repeatedly voiced frustration over the lack of progress in halting the conflict. His recent decision to impose a combined 50% tariff on Indian goods was framed as a response to New Delhi’s continued energy trade with Moscow, even as the U.S. maintains its own dealings with Russia.
The August 15 summit will be closely watched by global powers, with the outcome potentially reshaping the dynamics of both the Ukraine war and US-Russia relations.
