IntelScoops

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet in Alaska on Friday for their first official summit, with discussions expected to focus on ending the war in Ukraine and exploring new avenues for economic cooperation.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the meeting will begin at 19:30 GMT with a private session involving only translators, followed by broader delegation talks and a joint press conference. Senior Russian officials including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov will attend.

Ushakov said Ukraine would be the “obvious” focal point but noted that trade, economic ties, and broader security issues are also on the agenda. He highlighted what he called the “huge, untapped potential” for Russia-U.S. economic relations.

Speaking in Moscow on Thursday, Putin praised what he described as Washington’s “energetic and sincere efforts” to end the conflict, suggesting that a peace framework could be paired with new agreements on nuclear arms control. He said talks aim to establish “long-term conditions of peace” in Europe and globally, potentially building on the New START treaty, which expires in February 2026.

Russia and the U.S. currently hold the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, making any progress on arms control a significant step in global security.

U.S.–Russia Diplomatic Timeline: From Tensions to the Alaska Summit

June 2021 – Geneva Summit

• Russian President Vladimir Putin meets U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Talks focus on strategic stability, cyberattacks, and human rights. Both leaders agree to return ambassadors to their respective capitals after a diplomatic freeze.

February 2022 – Ukraine War Begins

• Russia launches a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
• U.S.–Russia relations plunge to Cold War–era lows, with sweeping U.S.-led sanctions targeting Russia’s economy, energy exports, and financial sector.

August 2022 – Suspension of Arms Talks

• Moscow halts planned arms control negotiations, citing “unfriendly” U.S. policies and sanctions.
• Washington accuses Russia of violating provisions of the New START treaty.

January 2023 – Grain Export Disputes

• The U.S. and Russia engage indirectly through Turkey and the United Nations to extend the Black Sea grain export deal.
• Despite limited cooperation, tensions over battlefield developments continue to dominate relations.

February 2023 – New START Treaty Suspension

• Russia formally suspends its participation in the New START nuclear arms control treaty, accusing the U.S. of undermining strategic balance.

Mid–2023 – Backchannel Contacts on Ukraine

• U.S. and Russian officials engage in discreet communications to prevent escalation, particularly regarding nuclear rhetoric.
• Reports surface of limited security talks in neutral locations, but no public breakthroughs are announced.

Early 2024 – Prisoner Exchange Agreement

• Moscow and Washington conduct one of the largest prisoner swaps since the Cold War, involving high-profile detainees.
• This fuels speculation that limited trust-building measures are underway.

July 2024 – Informal Diplomatic Contacts in Asia

• Russian and U.S. envoys meet informally during an Asian security conference, paving the way for higher-level discussions.

August 2024 – Trump Announces Willingness for Direct Talks

• In a campaign speech, Donald Trump says he would “sit down with Putin” to end the war in Ukraine “quickly and fairly.”
• Kremlin officials signal openness to a meeting if “serious” proposals are on the table.

Early 2025 – Preparations for Alaska Summit

• After weeks of discreet negotiations, both sides agree to a direct Trump–Putin summit in Alaska.
• Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirms the agenda will include Ukraine peace talks, economic cooperation, and nuclear arms control.

August 2025 – Putin Hints at Arms Control Breakthrough

• Days before the meeting, Putin says the U.S. is making “sincere efforts” to resolve the Ukraine conflict and that long-term peace could be paired with renewed strategic arms agreements before New START expires in 2026.