A proposed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska are drawing international criticism and raising fears that it could lead to a deal that heavily favors Russia and undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. The meeting is being held in a location with historical significance, as Russia sold Alaska to the U.S. 158 years ago.
The conditions surrounding the summit appear to overwhelmingly favor Moscow, leading many observers to believe that any potential deal would amount to a defeat for Kyiv. An early proposal from Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, suggested that Ukraine cede control of the remaining parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in exchange for a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already rejected the idea of ceding any territory. The proposal has been met with “understandable horror” from both Kyiv and its European allies, who fear that it would reward Russian aggression.
The proposal to cede land is particularly contentious as Russian forces are currently advancing in the Donetsk region, threatening to encircle key towns like Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. Handing over these areas would allow Russian troops to take control without a fight, a scenario that is deeply concerning to Ukraine’s military and its citizens.
Analysts say that Russia would likely offer very little in return for such a concession, perhaps only a few small border areas it recently occupied in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Furthermore, a ceasefire itself is a difficult prospect. President Putin has long maintained that a ceasefire is not possible until technical and logistical details are in place, and with his troops gaining ground on the eastern front, he is unlikely to change his stance. European leaders are also concerned that any agreement with Russia would be a “worthless piece of paper,” citing the Kremlin’s history of using past agreements to regroup before launching new offensives.
The summit and the discussions surrounding it have also been influenced by other global factors. India and China have recently been in contact with the Kremlin, possibly providing impetus for Putin to engage in diplomacy. Both countries may be concerned about potential U.S. secondary sanctions impacting their energy imports.
The outcome of the meeting could involve further technical discussions between U.S. and Russian staff, with a potential deal being presented to Kyiv with the implied ultimatum that continued U.S. aid and intelligence sharing would be contingent on their acceptance.
