In a move that captured global attention, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. Official details on the venue and agenda are expected in the coming days.
Earlier that same day, Trump told reporters that Washington and Moscow were "very close" to reaching an agreement on Ukraine, signaling optimism about a potential breakthrough. Arrangements for the meeting location are already underway.
On Saturday, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the summit and said both leaders will focus on exploring options for a long-term peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Putin has also invited Trump to hold their next meeting in Russia following the Alaska talks.
Addressing questions about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump stated that any ceasefire in Ukraine ultimately depends on Putin. He added that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is not a prerequisite for the U.S.-Russia talks.
Just days earlier, a White House official had noted that no site had been finalized and that a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting would be a precondition for talks with Trump—a commitment the Kremlin had yet to confirm.
Meanwhile, Putin has indicated that both Moscow and Washington are keen on a summit and mentioned the United Arab Emirates as a potential host. Speaking after talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he said Russia has "many friends" ready to help arrange the meeting. While a showdown with Zelenskyy remains possible in principle, the conditions for such a meeting are still "far from being met."
With less than a month to go, preparations are gearing up for what promises to be a high-stakes summit. Young global citizens, business leaders, activists and travelers will be watching closely as two of the world’s most influential leaders seek to chart a path forward on the Ukraine crisis.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
