End of a 3½-Year War? Global Tensions Rise Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit

Trump stated on social media that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may also be involved in the talks, adding that a potential ceasefire agreement is already in an advanced stage. However, such a deal could require Ukraine to give up some territory — a condition that may prove politically difficult for Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump suggested that the resolution might involve “some exchange of territory for the benefit of both sides.”

In his evening address to the nation, Zelensky said that a ceasefire could be achieved if sufficient pressure was applied to Russia. He noted that he had already spoken with more than a dozen world leaders and that his team remained in regular contact with Washington.

Russia currently claims Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, along with Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. However, Moscow does not have complete control over all of these regions.

According to a Bloomberg report, the potential agreement could see Russia halting its offensive in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia along the current front lines. The White House dismissed the report as “speculation,” and the Kremlin has not commented.

Analysts say that for Ukraine to end the three-and-a-half-year-long war, it may have to face the difficult decision of ceding nearly one-fifth of its territory.

Alaska last hosted high-level diplomatic talks in 2021 between the United States and China, which quickly turned into a heated public exchange. This time, the Trump administration appears focused on rebuilding ties with Russia and making peace a priority.

Recently, Trump threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Moscow if Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire. As part of that pressure campaign, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on certain imports from India over its purchases of Russian oil — marking the first major economic penalty against Russia in Trump’s second term.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday that there were signs the conflict might be heading toward a pause. He described Zelensky as “cautious but optimistic” and added that European nations were eager to take part in any ceasefire planning and peace negotiations.