Trump–Putin Alaska Summit Looms as Russia Gains Ground in Ukraine

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By Johnson Folarin

Tensions are mounting ahead of a historic face-to-face between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with both leaders set to meet Friday in Alaska amid fresh battlefield victories for Moscow in Ukraine.

The talks at Elmendorf Air Force Base will mark Putin’s first visit to Western soil since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine — a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and reshaped global alliances.

Last-Minute Diplomacy and Stark Warnings

In the hours leading up to the meeting, Trump spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, assuring them that Washington is seeking a ceasefire, not concessions.

Trump, however, sent a pointed warning to Putin: “There may be no second meeting if I don’t get the answers we need. Russia will face severe consequences if the offensive continues.”

Still, he hinted at a follow-up: “If the first one goes okay, we’ll have a quick second one with both Putin and Zelensky.”

Zelensky Skeptical as Frontline Pressures Mount

Zelensky, who met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin earlier this week, made clear his doubts about Russia’s intentions.

“I told my colleagues that Putin does not want peace,” Zelensky said, reiterating that Ukraine will not legally recognise any Russian occupation, even if open to talks “on territorial issues.”

On Tuesday, Russian forces recorded their largest single-day advance in over a year, claiming 110 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory, according to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War.

Cold War Setting for High-Stakes Talks

The summit’s venue, Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, was a key Cold War monitoring post against the Soviet Union. In preparation, the U.S. Treasury has temporarily eased sanctions on Putin’s delegation to allow basic transactions during their stay.

Despite the geopolitical weight of the meeting, Anchorage streets have remained quiet, with the only visible change being the arrival of hundreds of international journalists.

NATO and Europe Put Ball in Putin’s Court

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and other European leaders have framed the summit as a pivotal test of Putin’s willingness to pause his offensive.

Trump, once outspoken in his admiration for the Russian leader, campaigned on ending the Ukraine war “within 24 hours” if returned to office — a promise now strained as Putin presses ahead with fresh military gains.

For many in Ukraine’s frontlines, expectations are low. “Putin is massing an army and stockpiling weapons,” said Artem, a soldier in Kramatorsk. “This war will last a long time.”