ANCHORAGE, Alaska — On Friday, August 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for a pivotal summit aimed at halting the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The meeting, kicking off at 11:30 a.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT), marks their first face to face encounter since a controversial 2018 summit in Helsinki, a moment that stirred debate over U.S.-Russia relations.
The Anchorage talks focus on securing a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began with Moscow’s invasion in February 2022. Trump, speaking to reporters late Thursday, expressed cautious optimism about the meeting, emphasizing his desire to “set the table” for a potential follow-up discussion that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Notably, Zelenskyy was excluded from Friday’s summit, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv and European allies. In a statement earlier this week, Zelenskyy warned that any agreement without Ukraine’s input would be “stillborn” and urged new sanctions on Russia if an “immediate ceasefire” isn’t secured.
The agenda includes discussions on territorial disputes and possible arms control measures, with Putin signaling openness to broader security talks. According to Al Jazeera, the Russian delegation, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, arrived prepared to address economic cooperation alongside the war’s resolution. Trump, meanwhile, has downplayed expectations, noting a “25 percent chance” the talks could falter but stressing his intent to pave the way for peace.
As the leaders meet at the Cold War-era military base, global attention is fixed on whether this summit can shift the trajectory of the conflict. European leaders, sidelined for now, are watching closely, wary of any deal that might weaken Ukraine’s position.
Source: Al Jazeera
