WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has ignited a political firestorm after twice telling reporters this week that he is “going to Russia” to meet Vladimir Putin for urgent ceasefire talks. The truth? Trump isn’t boarding a flight to Moscow—at least not yet—but he will be face-to-face with the Russian leader this Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, for what could be the most consequential peace summit in years.
“This is a tragic emergency,” Trump told reporters Monday. “I’m going to see Putin. I’m going to Russia on Friday.” While the remark caused confusion, the message was clear—Trump is taking direct action where others have failed.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified Tuesday that the meeting will happen in Alaska, but pointedly did not rule out a future trip to Moscow. “Perhaps there are plans in the future,” she said. “On Friday, the president will be meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, as you know.”
This will be the first meeting between an American president and Putin since February 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. The last U.S. president to meet Putin was Joe Biden in 2021—before the war, and before Biden’s foreign policy unraveled.
Trump’s Bold Peace Proposal
Last week, Trump hinted at the potential framework for ending the war, suggesting a “territory swap” between Russia and Ukraine. The idea directly challenges Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has refused to give up any land, declaring, “The Ukrainian people deserve peace,” but not “rewards for aggression.”
Trump pushed back on Zelensky’s position. “I disagree very, very severely with what he’s done,” Trump said Monday. “This is a war that should have never happened—and it can be ended.”
Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who spoke with both Trump and European leaders, said Russia is signaling—for the first time—that it may be ready to discuss a ceasefire. Zelensky, however, insists Putin is simply buying time for another offensive.
Why This Summit Matters
Trump’s critics say his willingness to negotiate is dangerous. His supporters say it’s exactly what strong leadership looks like—breaking through diplomatic gridlock to stop needless bloodshed.
“There will be some land swapping going on,” Trump said of a possible deal. “It’s good for Ukraine in some ways, bad in others. It’s complicated, but it can be done.”
The Trump–Putin Alaska Summit could shift the global balance—or prove that peace is still out of reach. Either way, the world will be watching Friday, and history may be written in Anchorage.