WASHINGTON – President Trump’s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin this Friday is drawing a lot of attention, perhaps more than any summit in recent decades for both Washington and Moscow. However, Trump isn’t expecting any major decisions; rather, he’s aiming for a “more solid understanding” on how to bring the war in Ukraine to a close.
At 79, Trump plans to approach the meeting more like a “listening exercise” than a high-stakes negotiation, as described by White House spokesperson Carolyn Leavitt on Tuesday.
Putin, now 72, has proposed some significant terms for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but it seems the U.S. hasn’t committed to any stance on the matter, according to a source familiar with the ongoing discussions.
What Russia Wants
Putin is insisting on terms that haven’t shifted much since the war began over three years ago, notably the formal recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as parts of Russia, despite Moscow’s inability to secure these regions over the past 11 years.
This demand includes about 30% of Donetsk and Luhansk that is not under Russian control. Additionally, the Kremlin is looking to freeze the current frontlines.
According to European officials, Trump’s requests were articulated by Steve Witkov, a U.S. envoy who recently met with Putin. However, Russia has kept these demands largely under wraps, which is one reason why Ukrainian President Voldy Mil Zelensky is eager to participate in talks with Putin.
Russia is also aiming for an agreement that would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, stop the flow of Western arms to Ukraine, and restrict Ukraine’s movements within its own territory.
Despite claims from the White House that war will be a significant topic, Russian officials believe that the summit offers an opportunity to discuss potential agreements with the U.S., such as reopening Alaska’s airspace to Russian flights.
Russian Deputy Minister Sergei Lyabkov has expressed hope that future meetings could help normalize bilateral relations, possibly facilitating air traffic recovery.
The Arctic and avenues for economic cooperation are also themes of interest. Putin’s advisor, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned that Trump might consider visiting Russia in the future. Yet, some Russian commentators are wary of the summit’s Alaska location; hardliners in Moscow have often lamented the loss of territory.
George Barros from the War Institute noted that Russian nationalists have spun elaborate theories suggesting Alaska should rightfully belong to Russia, which he dismissed as nonsense. He emphasized that these views reflect a broader issue of nationalistic sentiment rather than genuine respect for the U.S.
What Ukraine Wants
Zelensky, age 47, referred to Moscow’s demands for a ceasefire as unacceptable but indicated a willingness to make certain concessions if they form part of a final peace deal.
Ending a prolonged conflict that has obliterated much of Ukraine’s infrastructure would be a positive outcome for Zelensky, yet he remains firm that he won’t accept peace at any cost.
Zelensky insists that Ukraine needs reliable security guarantees, like NATO membership and nuclear arms, to prevent future invasions by Russia.
“It’s impossible to discuss Ukraine’s future without including Ukraine in the conversation,” he stated. “I hope the U.S. President understands this and acts accordingly.”
What Trump Wants
Friday’s meeting offers Trump a chance to gauge Putin’s demeanor firsthand, potentially allowing him a clearer idea of whether Putin is genuine about peace, as Trump has occasionally suggested.
“This ought to help in bringing the war to an end, as it only involves one side at this moment,” Trump noted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also described the summit as a “touch-and-feel meeting,” indicating that Trump wants to assess Putin up close.
Trump, aiming to fulfill one of his significant campaign promises for 2024, recognizes that reaching a peace agreement would mark a notable achievement in his foreign policy legacy.
To that end, Trump is expected to introduce the idea of a land exchange between Russia and Ukraine to see how Putin reacts. Additionally, he will converse with European leaders before his meeting on Friday, as noted by a source familiar with the arrangements.
“The next meeting will involve Zelensky and Putin, or perhaps all three of us together,” Trump mentioned. “We’d like to facilitate a discussion on land exchanges.”
