Discussions between the Russian and US presidents regarding the Ukraine conflict and bilateral relations are scheduled to take place in Alaska.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart, Donald Trump, are slated for crucial discussions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict in Anchorage, Alaska.
These negotiations, which are expected to commence at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday around 20:00 GMT, are principally centered on achieving a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has indicated that global “peace and security,” alongside the “further development of bilateral cooperation” in economic and trade sectors, will also be included in the agenda.
The Russian delegation comprises, besides President Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, and presidential economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev, recognized for his significant involvement in the Ukraine settlement process.
While the United States has not yet officially confirmed its delegation’s composition, it is anticipated to include, in addition to President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy to Ukraine and the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Prior to the discussions, Moscow stated its intention to present a “clear and well-defined” position and supporting arguments to the US. Trump characterized the summit as a “feel-out meeting,” estimating a 25% likelihood of its failure.
The US president has put forward the idea that the discussions might revolve around a land swap agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow, however, asserts that it will not relinquish the Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, which integrated into the country following public referendums in 2014 and 2022.