Trump and Putin in Alaska: exchange of territory at the Ukraine summit?
US President Trump and Russia's Putin negotiate on August 15, 2025 in Alaska over territorial cessions in the Ukraine war.

Trump and Putin in Alaska: exchange of territory at the Ukraine summit?
What's coming up? The upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is causing loud alarm bells in Europe. The two leaders will meet in Alaska on August 15, 2025. The focus of the discussions is the war in Ukraine, which has now been going on for three and a half years. Trump sees this meeting as an opportunity to potentially take a step toward peace. But the debate over Ukraine's territorial cessions is overshadowing the talks, and emotions are tense on both sides.
Trump has hinted that a territorial swap between Ukraine and Russia could be discussed. But here Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj draws clear boundaries: Ukraine will not cede its land; that is a matter of fundamental importance for him and the government. The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, emphasized that the talks must also focus on the people in the territories occupied by Russia, not just the territorial issues. Because behind all the political games there are fates that cannot be ignored, according to Makeiev Schwäbische.de.
Urgency in diplomacy
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte makes it clear that talks about the areas controlled by Russia are inevitable. Before a possible ceasefire, essential issues such as security guarantees and Ukraine's territorial issues would have to be on the table. Rutte warns that international borders must not be changed by force and underlines the importance of involving the EU in the ongoing negotiations. For example, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas is planning a video conference to discuss the next steps. So European diplomacy is not standing idle while high-level talks are imminent Nau.ch.
In the background, the USA is pushing for clarification of positions, because Trump is putting pressure on Ukraine to reach an agreement. Ukrainian President Zelensky, who was not invited to the summit, not only rejects this, but makes it clear that any decision affecting his country must also include Ukraine. The Ukrainian constitution regulates the issue of territorial issues, and changing it could trigger domestic political turmoil. Meanwhile, the White House is planning a three-way meeting with Zelensky to discuss further developments after the summit Tagesschau.de.
Current developments at the front
The battle at the front continues. Russian airstrikes have injured at least 20 people in Zaporizhia, while Ukraine is using drone strikes to disrupt Russian supply lines. The situation in eastern Ukraine also remains tense, with reports of further military clashes. Russia is actively demanding full control over the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. For Ukraine, giving up these areas would mean the loss of many thousands of square kilometers and strategically important cities Nau.ch.
The international community is watching developments anxiously. In these exciting times, one thing is clear: the talks in Alaska will not only influence the fate of Ukraine and Russia, but also have far-reaching implications for the geopolitical landscape. The question remains: Can Trump and Putin work together to find a solution that brings peace and does not further endanger the people of Ukraine?