For the first time since 2021, meeting face-to-face with President Trump, Putin Praises Trump’s Ukraine Peace Push, Eyes Nuclear Arms Deal at Alaska Summit. The long-awaited Trump–Putin Alaska Summit is set to begin with the world’s eyes fixed on Anchorage, where US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting face-to-face for the first time since 2021.
In a rare show of optimism, Putin publicly praised Trump’s “energetic” push to end the Ukraine war, while hinting at a possible nuclear arms control agreement that could redefine US–Russia relations.The high-stakes talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson are being billed as a strategic opening move not an endgame in efforts to resolve the most devastating European conflict since World War II.
Putin Praises Trump’s Ukraine Peace Push, Eyes Nuclear Arms Deal at Alaska Summit
Putin Signals Openness to Peace and Nuclear Talks
Ahead of the summit, Putin chaired a Kremlin meeting to review ongoing US–Russia negotiations over Ukraine. Speaking to senior officials, he commended Trump’s diplomatic approach:
“The current American administration… is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis, and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict,” Putin said.
In a significant shift, Putin also suggested expanding the discussions beyond Ukraine to include “control over strategic offensive weapons” diplomatic language for nuclear arms control.
New START Treaty Looms Over Talks
Putin’s comments bring renewed attention to the New START treaty, signed in 2011, which currently caps US and Russian nuclear arsenals but expires in February 2026.
Arms control experts say that even a preliminary commitment to extend or replace New START could be one of the summit’s most tangible diplomatic breakthroughs.
However, such a deal comes with complexity. Just weeks ago, Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to patrol near Russia in response to remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Balancing deterrence with diplomacy will be a core challenge in Alaska.
Trump Confident Putin Is Ready to Make a Deal
Speaking on Fox Radio’s Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump expressed confidence that Putin is prepared to negotiate:
“I believe now he’s convinced that he’s going to make a deal. He’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to.”
The US president says Friday’s talks are meant to “set the table” for a larger, more inclusive meeting potentially involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and select European leaders.
Ukraine and Europe Left Out of Alaska Summit
Notably, no Ukrainian or European leaders are part of the Alaska Summit. This exclusion has raised concerns in Kyiv and Brussels that Ukraine could be sidelined in negotiations about its future.
European leaders held a call with Trump earlier this week, urging him to support an immediate ceasefire and to guarantee Ukraine’s direct role in any peace talks.
Trump described himself as “sympathetic” to their concerns, but offered no firm commitments.
Zelensky Warns Against Deals Over Ukraine’s Head
Ukrainian President Zelensky has been working the phones with European capitals, warning against any arrangement that cements Russian territorial gains.
Since its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has seized and occupied about 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Kyiv insists that any peace deal must include the full restoration of its internationally recognized borders.
Putin’s Strategic Agenda
By raising the issue of nuclear arms control, Putin may be looking to broaden the scope of talks possibly to trade progress on strategic weapons for concessions on sanctions relief or Ukraine’s territorial status.
A senior Eastern European diplomat warned:
“Russia’s only goal is to avoid new sanctions and have existing sanctions lifted.”
The Summit Format and Delegations
According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the Alaska meeting will begin at 11:30 am local time (1930 GMT) with a one-on-one discussion between Trump and Putin, joined only by interpreters.
This will be followed by a business lunch with delegations. The Russian team will include:
- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
- Defense Minister Andrey Belousov
- Finance Minister Anton Siluanov
- Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund
Key agenda items include:
- Ending the Ukraine conflict
- European and international security guarantees
- Nuclear arms control
- US–Russia trade and economic cooperation
Ceasefire Unlikely After First Meeting
Trump has played down expectations for an immediate ceasefire, calling the summit “like a chess game” where the first move sets up the second.
“There’s a 25% chance that this meeting will not be a successful meeting,” Trump told Fox News.
He insists that any final peace agreement must be negotiated directly between Putin and Zelensky.
Security Guarantees Without NATO?
One major sticking point is what security guarantees Ukraine will receive. European leaders and Zelensky want robust international commitments to deter future Russian aggression.
Trump has indicated that the US and “all willing allies” might participate in such guarantees but without NATO as a formal party.
French President Emmanuel Macron called this position “a big step forward”, though details remain uncertain.
European Anxiety Grows
European diplomats fear Washington might prioritize a quick deal with Moscow over Kyiv’s long-term security. One official summed up the tension:
“It will be scary to see how it all unfolds in the coming hours. Trump had very good calls yesterday with Europe, but that was yesterday.”
Anchorage on Lockdown
Security in Anchorage is at unprecedented levels. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a Cold War-era installation less than 1,000 miles from Russia’s eastern coast, is hosting the summit.
Measures include:
- “Body for body, gun for gun” parity between US Secret Service and Russian security forces
- Strictly timed motorcade movements
- Separate secure lodging for each delegation
The city’s limited hotel capacity has been stretched to the limit, with vehicles and equipment flown in from the lower 48 states.
Why Alaska? Strategic and Symbolic Significance
The choice of Alaska carries weight. Once part of the Russian Empire before being sold to the US in 1867, it serves as a geographic and historical bridge between East and West.
Its proximity to Russia adds strategic value, while its Cold War heritage underscores the military stakes.
Domestic Stakes for Both Leaders
For Donald Trump, the Alaska Summit is an opportunity to cast himself as a global peacemaker ahead of a contentious political season in the US.
For Vladimir Putin, it’s a chance to break out of diplomatic isolation, probe for sanctions relief, and shape the nuclear arms control narrative on favorable terms.
Territorial Swap Hints Spark Controversy
Trump has floated the possibility of a “give and take” on borders a comment that has alarmed Kyiv and its allies.
Critics warn that any territorial swap would reward Russian aggression and undermine international law.
Looking Ahead: The Second Summit
If Trump’s plan holds, the Alaska Summit will serve primarily as groundwork for a larger meeting, potentially bringing together Trump, Putin, Zelensky, and European leaders for the first time since the war began.
“All I want to do is set the table for the next meeting, which should happen shortly,” Trump said. “I’d like to see it actually happen, maybe in Alaska.”
Whether that follow-up meeting will produce an enforceable peace agreement remains the open question hanging over Anchorage.
Global Implications
The outcome of the Trump–Putin Alaska Summit could ripple far beyond the snowy peaks of Alaska. Even if no ceasefire is reached, progress on nuclear arms control or the framework for future peace talks could shift the trajectory of the Ukraine war and redefine US–Russia relations for years to come.
For now, the world waits to see whether Anchorage will be remembered as the place where diplomacy found its footing or as just another missed opportunity in a long and bloody conflict.
Also Read: Zelensky in Washington: Trump, European Leaders Push for Ukraine Peace Deal
Also Read: Keir Starmer backs Trump-led peace push in Russia-Ukraine conflict
