Historic
Summit Anticipated in Alaska Between Russia, USA

Washington
/ Moscow, 13 Aug (ONA) — The world is heading toward a historic summit in
Alaska this Friday, where U.S. President Donald Trump will meet his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian war,
among other key issues.

The
meeting comes amid cautious expectations and mixed statements from both sides,
as well as European concerns over a potential settlement at Kyiv’s expense.

President
Trump described the meeting as “exploratory,” stressing that it would
determine whether there is serious intent to reach an agreement to end the war.
He hinted that a solution could involve a “land swap” between Russia
and Ukraine—a proposal that has provoked Kyiv’s ire.

For
its part, Moscow has expressed readiness to cede some territories in the Sumy
and Kharkiv regions in exchange for Ukraine recognizing Russian control over
Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. According to sources close to the Kremlin, this
proposed exchange represents a significant concession from the Russian side and
could be announced during the summit.

Ukraine
and several European countries have voiced concerns over an agreement being
reached without their involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
warned, “Any decision against us, any decision without Ukraine, is also a
decision against peace,” asserting that Ukrainians “will not give up
their land.”

In
this context, President Trump held a virtual meeting with European and
Ukrainian leaders in preparation for the summit to coordinate positions. A
White House official stated that Trump is open to Zelensky’s participation, but
current preparations are focused on a bilateral meeting with the Russian
president.

NATO
Secretary-General Mark Rutte said any future peace agreement cannot include
legal recognition of Russia’s control over Ukrainian territories, though it
might involve de facto acknowledgment.

Meanwhile,
analysts Peter Rough and Jan Kasaap Oglu, in an analysis published by The
National Interest noted that Putin, during his meeting last week with
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, sought to avert impending U.S. sanctions by
proposing a path forward in Ukraine.

Reports
suggest Putin agreed, in exchange for Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk, to
halt the war along the current frontlines. President Trump reportedly
considered Putin’s proposal significant enough to approve the Russian leader’s
long-standing request for a presidential summit.

This
summit will mark the first bilateral meeting between the two leaders during
Trump’s second term, lending it particular importance amid ongoing tensions in
international relations.

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Ends/AH