A Meeting on the Edge of the Arctic
On Friday, the eyes of the world will turn to Anchorage, Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It will be their first face-to-face encounter since Trump began his second term, framed as a bold attempt to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Symbolism in the Setting
CNN was first to reveal the location, one that Moscow has been quick to highlight for its symbolism — 158 years ago, the United States purchased Alaska from the Russian Empire. Now, the two nations’ leaders return to this distant frontier for talks that could reshape a war.
Not a Concession, Says Washington
Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed any suggestion of yielding to Moscow, calling it a “feel-out meeting” rather than a concession. “We’ll know very early in that meeting whether this has any chance of success,” Rubio said on Tuesday.
Zelenskyy Left Out of the Room
Clashing Positions on Territory
Ukrainian officials have consistently rejected any deal that involves ceding land Russia annexed illegally. Yet Trump has floated the idea that Ukraine and Russia might “swap” territories as part of a peace agreement, calling the negotiations “very complicated.”
Trump’s Bold Promise and Reality Check
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office, even saying during a September debate he could do it “before I even become president.” After returning to the White House, he admitted that was “an exaggeration,” but insisted peace was still within reach.
