Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska for High-Stakes Ukraine Summit

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, for a high-stakes summit aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. This marks their first standalone meeting since 2018.

The summit took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where Trump personally welcomed Putin with a handshake and escorted him to the venue. Trump was accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov led Putin’s delegation.

During the talks, Trump emphasized the urgency of an immediate ceasefire and warned of severe economic sanctions if Russia did not engage constructively. He also suggested potential U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, coordinated with European allies, though outside the NATO framework.

The summit focused on critical and contentious issues, including Ukraine’s territorial integrity, future security arrangements, and accountability for war crimes. Observers say the outcome remains uncertain, with both leaders under intense international scrutiny.