Putin praises Trump's push for Ukraine peace as leaders prepare for Alaska summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded US President Donald Trump’s “energetic and sincere” efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow’s full-scale invasion, as the two leaders prepared for a pivotal summit in Alaska on Friday, 15 August.

Following a meeting with senior officials in Moscow, Putin said in a Kremlin-released video that Washington was making genuine attempts to “stop the hostilities” and reach agreements that “are of interest to all parties involved.” He also suggested that lasting peace between Russia and the US — and stability in Europe and globally — could be achieved under a broader deal that includes nuclear arms control.

In Washington, Trump placed the odds of the summit’s failure at 25 per centbut hinted that, if successful, it could pave the way for a three-way meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Alaska. In an interview with Fox News, he added that he might extend his stay in the state depending on the outcome of his talks with Putin.

European Unease
While Washington and Moscow finalised summit details, Zelenskyy and European leaders worked to ensure their voices would not be sidelined. On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy to Downing Street in a public show of support ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting. The two leaders embraced warmly but made no public remarks.

Zelenskyy’s visit followed a day of virtual consultations with Trump and European counterparts from Berlin. According to European officials, Trump assured them he would prioritise securing a ceasefire when meeting Putin. Speaking to reporters, Trump warned Moscow of “very severe consequences” if Russia refuses to halt its military campaign.

Despite constructive feedback from leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, unease lingers in European capitals. There are concerns that a bilateral US-Russia agreement might sideline Ukrainian and European interests, potentially tilting terms in Moscow’s favour and jeopardising Europe’s long-term security.

Trump warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Putin does not agree to stop war after summit

Summit Details in Flux
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov played down expectations, cautioning against predicting outcomes and confirming no agreements were set to be signed. According to Russian officials, Friday’s talks will begin at 11:30 am local time with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin, followed by delegation-level discussions, a working breakfast, and a joint news conference.

However, Trump contradicted that account, saying no decision had been made about a joint media appearance — a sign that much about the summit, including its schedule, remains unsettled.

Ukraine’s Territorial integrity at stake
Starmer said the Alaska talks could offer a pathway to a ceasefire but warned that any settlement forcing Ukraine to cede territory would be unacceptable. Speaking during Wednesday’s call with members of the “coalition of the willing” — nations prepared to help police any peace deal — Starmer insisted that “international borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force.”

Kyiv has made clear that Western security guarantees are a precondition for ending the conflict, though many allied governments remain reluctant to commit troops. France and the UK, alongside other coalition members, have been pushing for US backing. Macron said Trump clarified that while NATO would not be involved in security guarantees, “the United States and all the parties involved should take part” — a statement the French president called “very important.”

Trump, however, avoided any direct reference to US security commitments during his public remarks, leaving open questions about Washington’s role should a ceasefire be reached.