Anchorage & Washington, August 16, 2025 — After his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly aiming to organize a trilateral peace meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as early as Friday, August 22, according to Axios. The plan was shared during post-summit calls with European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and NATO chief Mark Rutte.
Moscow’s Demands and the Diplomatic Tightrope
Reports from Axios reveal that Putin is demanding Ukraine fully withdraw from its eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as a condition for any meaningful peace agreement—a steep price Kyiv has explicitly rejected. Despite this, Putin expressed a willingness to discuss security guarantees—though he suggested China might serve as a guarantor, potentially signaling opposition to formal NATO involvement.
Zelensky’s Upcoming Washington Visit
In a swift response, President Zelensky accepted Trump’s invitation and will meet in Washington this Monday, August 18, to explore next steps. He reiterated that any peace talks must not compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty or include territorial concessions.
Europe Keeps Watch, Advocates Security Guarantees
European leaders voiced support for robust security arrangements for Ukraine, akin to NATO’s Article 5. German Chancellor Merz confirmed that the U.S. is now open to participating in such guarantees. However, they also warned that any agreement must clearly guard Ukrainian independence and not reward aggression.
A Summit Laden with Risk and Symbolism
If held, the August 22 summit would mark the first direct encounter between Putin and Zelensky—a scenario fraught with diplomatic peril. A deal that tilts toward Russian interests risks delegitimizing Ukraine and undermining Western support. Kyiv continues to insist that peace should come only with territorial integrity and reliable security backing.
