On August 15, the summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin began in Alaska. Trump personally welcomed Putin as an honored guest upon his arrival. Before the meeting, Trump unexpectedly called Alexander Lukashenko, thanking him for releasing hostages and expressing interest in visiting Belarus in the future. Lukashenko invited Trump and his family, and Trump reportedly agreed.
The initial round of talks lasted 2–3 minutes, but the main discussions are expected to take up to 6–7 hours. The US delegation includes the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, CIA Director, Treasury Secretary, Defense Secretary, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both the US and Russia aim to reach agreements on key issues, including economic sanctions and strategic arms limitations.
Putin raised the topic of extending or signing a new nuclear arms control treaty, as the current New START treaty expires in 2026. Trump stated he would not make decisions regarding Ukraine's territorial issues but seeks to invite Ukraine to a potential trilateral summit. The possibility of security guarantees for Ukraine outside NATO is also under discussion.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Armed Forces reported successes near Pokrovsk, while Russia launched a missile strike on the Dnipro district, resulting in casualties. A powerful explosion occurred at a gunpowder plant in the Ryazan region, killing up to five people.
International media report that no official documents are expected to be signed, but a joint press conference is possible. The UK confirmed readiness to send troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire to ensure stability and security. The EU is considering opening membership talks with Moldova, while the status of Ukraine’s negotiations remains uncertain.
According to US polls, most Americans are skeptical about Trump’s chances of success in negotiations with Putin. The summit’s outcome remains unclear as talks continue.
