President Donald Trump is entering his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin with what aides describe as the clearest and most ambitious objective of his presidency on Ukraine: an immediate ceasefire to stop a war that has dragged on for more than three years. The high-stakes meeting, set for late Friday morning local time, will begin with a one-on-one session — only translators present — before expanding to include senior officials from both sides. The Kremlin delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, sovereign wealth fund chief Kirill Dmitriev, and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

A Sharp Shift in Tone

Initially described by Trump as a “feel-out meeting,” the summit has transformed into a test of resolve. In private conversations with NATO allies and Zelenskyy, Trump has made clear he expects Putin to either agree to a ceasefire or show “very positive movement” toward one. “This is Trump being the most serious he has ever been and the most direct,” a senior U.S. official told Axios. Another official emphasized that Putin requested the meeting and must now deliver.

The U.S. president’s rhetoric has sharpened in recent days. On Wednesday, Trump warned that Russia would face “very severe consequences” if he determined that Putin was unwilling to end the war — though he did not specify what those measures might entail. Options reportedly under consideration include tightening sanctions on Russian oil exports, a critical revenue source for the Kremlin, and expanding U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

Three Possible Outcomes

Washington is preparing for three broad scenarios:

• Unconditional Ceasefire – This would be the first sustained pause in fighting since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, opening the door to substantive peace negotiations. Zelenskyy has said that serious talks can only begin under a truce.
• Total Rebuff – If Putin refuses, it would be seen internationally as him staring down Trump on American soil. Such a failure could prompt Washington to escalate sanctions and accelerate weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
• Conditional Agreement – Putin could offer a partial or conditional ceasefire, seeking to attach preconditions or “clarifications,” a tactic he has used in past talks.

Ukraine’s Strategic Concerns

Zelenskyy’s government is working urgently to shape Trump’s approach before the summit. The Ukrainian leader faces a confluence of pressures: recent Russian gains on the battlefield, growing discontent at home, and fears that Trump might push for territorial concessions. Kyiv remains firm in its refusal to cede land to Russia, with Zelenskyy warning, “Ukraine will not give up its land to occupiers.”

Stalemate on the Ground

The war remains locked in a costly stalemate. As of August 2025, Russia controls roughly 20% of Ukraine, including all of Luhansk, most of Donetsk, and significant portions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow has intensified attacks using drone swarms, glide bombs, and Grad rocket barrages. Ukraine, meanwhile, faces severe shortages of ammunition and manpower, compounding the urgency of securing a ceasefire.

What Comes Next

If the Alaska summit yields progress, Trump has indicated he will push for a rapid follow-up meeting involving Zelenskyy. If not, “we are not going to have a second meeting,” he told aides. U.S. officials say the summit’s outcome will hinge on whether Putin shows genuine intent to end the war — a judgment Trump insists he will make personally after “taking the measure of the man.”