The White House is currently contemplating inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska, coinciding with the planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set for August 15.
This initiative forms part of ongoing attempts to facilitate a ceasefire in the continuing conflict in Ukraine, sources within the U.S. administration and those familiar with the internal discussions have revealed.
No formal invitation has yet been issued to Zelenskyy, and the situation remains fluid, although senior officials convey cautious optimism about his attendance.
A senior White House official commented, “The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders,” yet emphasised that the current priority is organising the bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin, as requested by the Russian president.
President Trump announced the Alaska summit as an effort to broker peace, pressing Putin to comply with a deadline for agreeing to a ceasefire or risk facing further sanctions on Russia, including potential secondary sanctions on nations trading Russian oil.
Despite these diplomatic pressures, Putin has declined to cease hostilities, instead proposing a peace framework that would allow Russia to retain substantial swathes of Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy has resolutely opposed any territorial concessions, stating that Ukrainians “will not give their land to occupiers.”
Whether Zelenskyy and Putin would occupy the same space during any discussions remains unclear, with sources indicating uncertainty over whether the two leaders would meet face to face, raising questions about the structure and efficacy of any proposed trilateral talks.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently held discussions with Putin in Moscow to prepare for the summit. Concurrently, the White House is striving to obtain backing from Ukraine and European allies for a ceasefire.
European leaders, including the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have voiced strong support for Zelenskyy. They have underlined the importance of Ukraine’s inclusion in peace negotiations, warning against agreements that exclude Kyiv’s government.
The success of the summit heavily depends on the agreement and involvement of all parties, especially Ukraine, whose territorial sovereignty is central to any enduring peace settlement.