Key Takeaways
- Historic Setting with Symbolism: The summit will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a location that nods to the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia 158 years ago—underscoring America’s strategic and historical advantage.
- Testing the Waters for Peace: Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “feel-out meeting,” signaling a no-nonsense approach to quickly gauge whether negotiations with Russia over Ukraine have real potential.
- Zelenskyy Left Out In-Person: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join virtually, as Trump focuses on direct talks with Putin to explore possible territorial agreements and end the war on America’s terms.
President Donald Trump will host Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, marking their first face-to-face meeting of Trump’s second term. The choice of location is no accident—Alaska was purchased from the Russian Empire 158 years ago, and the symbolism isn’t lost on either side.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that this is a “feel-out meeting” and “not a concession” to Putin. The goal: determine quickly if peace talks over Russia’s war in Ukraine have any real shot.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy isn’t on the in-person guest list, and Trump didn’t beat around the bust as to why. “He’s been there for 3½ years—nothing happened,” Trump said, pointing to stalled progress in previous talks. Zelenskyy, along with Vice President JD Vance and European leaders, will instead join virtually on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy’s position remains firm—no surrender of territory Russia has illegally annexed. But Trump has signaled that some form of territorial swap could be on the table. “It’s very complicated,” he said, walking back his campaign-trail promise to end the war in “24 hours” but maintaining that a resolution is within reach.
If successful, this Anchorage summit could mark a historic shift—leveraging American strength, strategic negotiation, and a reminder that under Trump, the U.S. doesn’t just play the game… it sets the terms.