On July 7, US President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for a nearly three-hour negotiation session in a 3-on-3 format. The agenda included discussions on ending hostilities in Ukraine, potential economic cooperation, and management of Arctic affairs.
Mass rallies supporting Ukraine took place in Alaska and across the US, with protestors calling for no concessions to the Kremlin and immediate cessation of Russian aggression.
President Trump emphasized the need for a ceasefire, including in the airspace, but noted that no full agreement with Putin was reached. He described the talks as productive and said another round of negotiations—including the potential participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—was expected shortly.
During the joint press conference, Putin stated interest in ending the conflict but insisted on US involvement in addressing Arctic issues and partial lifting of economic sanctions. At the same time, Russia continued missile attacks on Ukrainian territory, even as the talks were ongoing.
Ukrainian officials and experts criticized any attempt to discuss territorial concessions for Ukraine without its explicit consent. European and US media compared the current situation to the Munich Agreement and called for caution when engaging in dialogue with the Kremlin.
Key takeaways from the meeting include: the possibility of peacekeeping missions if a truce is achieved, lack of clear security guarantees for Ukraine, Putin’s emphasis on economic ties with the West, and strong global support for Ukraine. The next negotiation round may involve a broader range of international partners.