Zelenskyy Excluded from Trump-Putin Alaska Talks as White House Cites Bilateral Format
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Anchorage on August 15, 2025, with the White House framing the session as a 'listening exercise' aimed at understanding the path to ending the Ukraine war.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025, for direct talks on the war in Ukraine.
The White House has confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be present, describing the summit as a bilateral engagement at Putin’s request.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on August 12 that the meeting’s purpose is for President Trump to gain a clearer understanding of how the conflict might be brought to an end.
She characterized the session as a “listening exercise,” noting that only Russia will be represented in the talks.
Trump and Putin are expected to meet one-on-one, with the possibility of a future visit by Trump to Russia under consideration.
President Trump has indicated that territorial adjustments—referred to as "land-swapping"—could form part of a peace framework, though he emphasized that any potential deal would later be discussed with European Union, NATO leaders, and President Zelenskyy.
The U.S. president has suggested he will determine quickly during the meeting whether Putin is serious about pursuing an agreement.
President Zelenskyy has reiterated that no settlement can be reached without Ukraine’s direct participation, warning that decisions made without Kyiv would be "against peace" and ineffective.
Ukrainian law prohibits the ceding of territory without constitutional changes, a point Zelenskyy has underscored in his public statements.
European leaders have also stressed that Ukraine must be involved in determining the terms of any peace.
A joint statement issued on August 9 asserted that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
In the days leading up to the meeting, Russian forces have made advances in eastern Ukraine, consolidating positions near Kramatorsk and Dobropillya in the Donetsk region.
Reports indicate that Russia’s advantage in manpower and weaponry, including missile and glide bomb use, has challenged Ukrainian defenses, which have relied heavily on FPV drones amid recruitment difficulties.
A video conference between Trump, Zelenskyy, and several European leaders is planned prior to the Alaska summit to align strategies and coordinate diplomatic pressure on Russia.
European governments have reiterated their position that Moscow must commit to a ceasefire before meaningful negotiations can begin.
The Alaska meeting marks President Putin’s first visit to the United States in ten years.
Discussions over the location reportedly included multiple options before Anchorage was confirmed as the venue.
The White House has confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be present, describing the summit as a bilateral engagement at Putin’s request.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on August 12 that the meeting’s purpose is for President Trump to gain a clearer understanding of how the conflict might be brought to an end.
She characterized the session as a “listening exercise,” noting that only Russia will be represented in the talks.
Trump and Putin are expected to meet one-on-one, with the possibility of a future visit by Trump to Russia under consideration.
President Trump has indicated that territorial adjustments—referred to as "land-swapping"—could form part of a peace framework, though he emphasized that any potential deal would later be discussed with European Union, NATO leaders, and President Zelenskyy.
The U.S. president has suggested he will determine quickly during the meeting whether Putin is serious about pursuing an agreement.
President Zelenskyy has reiterated that no settlement can be reached without Ukraine’s direct participation, warning that decisions made without Kyiv would be "against peace" and ineffective.
Ukrainian law prohibits the ceding of territory without constitutional changes, a point Zelenskyy has underscored in his public statements.
European leaders have also stressed that Ukraine must be involved in determining the terms of any peace.
A joint statement issued on August 9 asserted that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.”
In the days leading up to the meeting, Russian forces have made advances in eastern Ukraine, consolidating positions near Kramatorsk and Dobropillya in the Donetsk region.
Reports indicate that Russia’s advantage in manpower and weaponry, including missile and glide bomb use, has challenged Ukrainian defenses, which have relied heavily on FPV drones amid recruitment difficulties.
A video conference between Trump, Zelenskyy, and several European leaders is planned prior to the Alaska summit to align strategies and coordinate diplomatic pressure on Russia.
European governments have reiterated their position that Moscow must commit to a ceasefire before meaningful negotiations can begin.
The Alaska meeting marks President Putin’s first visit to the United States in ten years.
Discussions over the location reportedly included multiple options before Anchorage was confirmed as the venue.
