U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in a week’s time, as he continued to raise the prospect of finally reaching an end to the war in Ukraine.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The highly anticipated meeting between myself, in my capacity as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska.” “Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump confirmed the meeting with Putin as Canada said it intends to lower the price cap on Russian oil, alongside Britain and the European Union, to exert “renewed pressure” on Moscow to end the war it started more than three-and-a-half years ago with its invasion.
Friday also marked Trump’s deadline for the Kremlin to make peace or face additional U.S. sanctions.Despite no end to fighting on the ground, Trump expressed optimism earlier Friday that there was progress being made toward ending the conflict.
He told reporters at the White House that “I think we’re getting very close” and that “we’re going to have a meeting with Russia” first. “I will meet with President Putin shortly.” It would have been sooner, but I guess there’s security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make. If not, I’d complete it much more quickly. He’d like to meet as soon as possible. I agree with it, but we’ll be announcing that very shortly.”
Trump also appeared to partially confirm a report earlier Friday from Bloomberg that a peace deal backed by the U.S. and Russia would cement Russia’s territorial gains in Ukraine, though the U.S. president suggested Ukraine could also regain some territory.
“It’s very complicated, but we’re going to get some back, we’re going to get some switched,” he said. “There will be some territory swapping to benefit both, but we will discuss that later or tomorrow or whatever.” Trump’s meeting with Putin will be the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, when former U.S. president Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.Trump said Thursday that he would meet with Putin even if the Russian leader will not meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This raised concerns in Europe that Ukraine might be left out of efforts to end the war.
Trump says he’ll meet with Putin in Alaska next week to discuss Ukraine war
