US President Donald Trump recently told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders that the planned meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska will not raise the topic of “dividing” Ukrainian territories. According to CNN and NBC News sources, Trump’s main goal is a “ceasefire.”
Ceasefire as the first step
NBC News reports that Trump acknowledged the need to halt military actions in Ukraine before entering peace talks. During discussions with European leaders, he emphasized the importance of this step. However, some European leaders concluded after the conversation that they are not particularly optimistic about the outcome of the meeting with Putin. A CNN source also stated that “expectations for this meeting are low.”
Putin’s conditions and Washington’s position
On August 6, Putin met in the Kremlin with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. The Russian president outlined his peace deal terms: Kyiv should cease fire and “freeze” the front line at current positions in exchange for relinquishing Donbas. However, according to a Washington Post source, Putin is unwilling to give up the Russian-occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Zelensky and European leaders’ stance
Zelensky, together with European leaders, held talks with Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump promised to discuss territorial issues only with Ukraine’s participation. This was seen as an important guarantee for Kyiv.
The Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska is significant for global politics. However, sources note that expecting major breakthroughs at this stage is premature. Nevertheless, the “ceasefire” topic remains a central element in moving towards negotiations.
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