Putin Names His Terms After Alaska Talks With Trump: Can the Ukraine Crisis End?
Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out specific conditions for ending the Ukraine conflict, just a week after holding a private summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska.
The closed-door meeting lasted more than three hours. While it did not result in a ceasefire, Trump left the talks suggesting there was still hope for resolution.
Trump’s Remarks on Ukraine
Following the summit, Trump shared his views on Truth Social, hinting that peace could come swiftly if Ukraine made certain concessions.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the fighting almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to resist,” Trump wrote. He added: “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea… and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!”
Trump later met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House to explore strategies for stopping the hostilities.
Ukraine’s Stance
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has mounted fierce resistance, inflicting massive losses on Russian forces. Some estimates place Russian casualties above one million.
Still, Ukrainian leaders remain steadfast. They refuse to surrender land or make compromises that undermine sovereignty, leaving a final resolution difficult to achieve.
Putin’s Three Conditions
According to reports cited by Reuters, Putin outlined three clear demands during the Alaska discussions:
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Ukraine must drop its pursuit of NATO membership.
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Western troops or bases cannot be stationed on Russian soil.
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Ukraine must pull out of areas of Donbas currently under Russian control.
In return, Moscow would consider freezing the battle lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Presently, Russian forces hold around 88% of Donbas and about 73% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
NATO’s Position
NATO defense chiefs met virtually with Ukrainian officials to discuss future security guarantees. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone of Italy, who chairs the NATO Military Committee, described the talks as “great” and emphasized the strong unity of the alliance.
What Lies Ahead?
With Russia’s terms made public, NATO reinforcing its backing for Kyiv, and Trump presenting himself as a mediator, the pressing question remains:
Can Trump broker an end to the Ukraine crisis — or will the clashes continue with no resolution in sight?