With just hours to go before the high-stakes Alaska summit, U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited global headlines by declaring that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump said he believes both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy want peace — but he cautioned that an immediate ceasefire is unlikely.
The statement comes as world leaders, diplomats, and defense analysts brace for what could be the most important diplomatic meeting of 2025. Still, Trump made it clear: while optimism is warranted, the road to peace will not be simple.
Trump Says Putin is Open to a Deal
In his remarks, Trump struck a cautiously confident tone.
“I think President Putin will make peace. I think President Zelenskyy will make peace,” Trump said, adding that the talks in Alaska are meant to “set the table” for a more comprehensive agreement.
The president even gave the negotiations a probability score: a 75% chance of success, leaving what he called “a 25% chance of failure” if either side refuses to compromise. That 25% figure, Trump admitted, is not insignificant. “This is the hardest deal anyone will ever have to make,” he said.
Trump’s comments align with behind-the-scenes reports suggesting that Moscow may be ready to freeze its offensive operations if certain conditions are met — though those conditions remain closely guarded secrets.
Alaska Summit as a First Step
According to Trump, the Alaska meeting is not intended to seal the final peace agreement. Instead, it is a preliminary round aimed at building trust and preparing for a second, larger summit that could include President Zelenskyy and key European leaders.
“The more important meeting will be the second one,” Trump explained. “It will include President Putin, President Zelenskyy, myself, and maybe some European leaders. That’s when we’ll really try to lock things in.”
This two-stage approach mirrors other high-profile diplomatic strategies where initial talks are used to break the ice before moving into substantive deal-making.
“Severe Consequences” if Talks Fail
Despite his optimistic tone, Trump was blunt about the potential fallout if Putin walks away from the negotiating table.
“If there’s no ceasefire, if there’s no willingness to make peace, there will be very severe consequences,” Trump warned.
While he did not specify the measures, analysts believe this could mean intensified sanctions, increased military aid to Ukraine, or even new economic restrictions targeting Russia’s allies.
These warnings were delivered shortly after Trump held a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders. Ukrainian officials reportedly emphasized that any peace deal must guarantee Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Putin Responds With Praise
In a rare gesture of goodwill, Putin publicly acknowledged Trump’s diplomatic efforts, describing them as both “energetic and sincere.”
“The U.S. is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties,” Putin told reporters in Moscow.
The Russian president hinted that a successful peace process could open the door to nuclear arms control talks and expanded economic cooperation between Washington and Moscow.
European and Ukrainian Caution
While Trump’s confidence has generated buzz, European and Ukrainian leaders remain cautious.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Zelenskyy have both stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in any agreement. They fear that a deal struck solely between Washington and Moscow could risk sidelining Kyiv’s interests.
Zelenskyy has been particularly firm, stating earlier this week:
“No one can decide Ukraine’s future without Ukraine. We will not give away our land.”
Why This Matters
The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and reshaped global geopolitics. If Trump is correct that Putin is ready to end the Ukraine war, it could mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict began in February 2022.
Yet, experts warn that Russia’s definition of “peace” may differ sharply from Ukraine’s — especially regarding Crimea and territories in the east that Moscow currently occupies.
What’s Next?
- August 15, 2025 — Trump and Putin meet in Alaska for the first round of talks.
- Potential Follow-Up Summit — Could take place within weeks and include Zelenskyy and European leaders.
- Key Issues to Resolve — Territorial boundaries, security guarantees, sanctions relief, and war crimes accountability.
Final Take
The Alaska summit represents both opportunity and risk. On one hand, Trump’s belief that Putin is ready to end the Ukraine war offers a glimmer of hope for millions affected by the conflict. On the other, the absence of an immediate ceasefire means the fighting — and suffering — will continue for now.
Whether this is the start of genuine peace or just another chapter in the long diplomatic standoff will depend on what happens not just in Alaska, but in the negotiations that follow.
