Writing on Truth Social, Trump described the talks with Putin as “very good,” adding that he held another “productive” call the same day with President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. He confirmed plans to meet Zelensky in Washington on August 18, where he hopes to further discuss pathways toward ending the conflict. According to Trump, a subsequent trilateral summit involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the United States could follow.
Earlier, sources reported that Trump spoke with Zelensky for over 90 minutes after departing Alaska. Zelensky confirmed he had been briefed on the Putin talks and stated that Kyiv is ready for direct negotiations at the highest level.
Meeting in Alaska — what is known
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Trump and Putin met on August 15 at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska — their first face-to‐face conversation since 2018.
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Talks were held in a small “3+3” format and lasted nearly three hours.
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Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff; Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and aide Yuri Ushakov.
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No final agreement was reached on Ukraine — Trump said Kyiv must now “agree” to the proposal discussed in Alaska, without disclosing details.
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Both sides signaled readiness to continue negotiations involving Ukraine.
Statement from European leaders
Following the Alaska talks, presidents and prime ministers of France, Germany, the UK, Poland, Finland, Portugal and the European Commission released a joint declaration backing Trump’s initiative — while stressing that:
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Any peace must be just, lasting and based on international law.
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Ukraine must receive ironclad security guarantees, without limitations on its armed forces or foreign partnerships.
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Russia cannot veto Ukraine’s path toward EU or NATO membership.
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Internationally recognised borders cannot be altered by force.
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Sanctions pressure on Russia will continue until a sustainable peace is achieved.
What’s next
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Trump meets Zelensky in Washington on August 18.
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A possible Zelensky-Trump-Putin summit is being explored.
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Discussions continue under the model of a broader “Coalition of the Willing” that would oversee security guarantees and enforcement mechanisms.
European leaders insist that any agreement must be decided by Ukraine — and strengthen, rather than weaken, its sovereignty, security and independence.
