‘High Stakes!’: Trump heads to Alaska for Putin meeting that could reshape the Ukraine war and global markets

“I think President Putin will make peace and President Zelensky will make peace,” Trump said, adding that the main goal was to “save thousands of soldiers a week.” (Image: AP)

US President Donald Trump has left for Alaska, calling his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin “High Stakes!” a meeting that could alter the course of the war in Ukraine and redefine European security.

The one-on-one talks are set for August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, with the leaders expected to explore a path to peace after more than three years of fighting.

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Confidence in Putin’s ‘readiness for peace’

Speaking to reporters before departure, Trump said he believes Putin is ready to make peace and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will eventually agree.

“I think President Putin will make peace and President Zelensky will make peace,” Trump said, adding that the main goal was to “save thousands of soldiers a week.”

Possible economic incentives on the table

Asked if the US might offer Putin access to rare minerals as part of a deal, Trump was cautious but did not rule it out.

“We’re going to see what happens with our meeting. It’s going to be very important for Russia, and for us, only that we’re going to save a lot of lives,” he said.

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Looking ahead to a ‘more important’ second meeting

Trump revealed plans for a follow-up meeting that would include Zelensky and potentially European leaders. He suggested that this trilateral, or multilateral, format could be more important than the Alaska summit itself.

“We’re gonna have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelensky, me, and maybe we’ll bring some of the European leaders along, maybe not,” Trump said.

What’s at stake in Alaska

The discussions are expected to cover:

A possible ceasefire framework

Prisoner exchanges

Arms-control measures

Economic or security guarantees

Putin is seeking recognition of Russia’s territorial gains and relief from Western sanctions, while Zelensky has refused to cede Ukrainian territory and is not attending the Alaska talks.

The outcome could ripple far beyond the battlefield. A peace breakthrough might lower global energy prices and ease trade pressure on countries like India, which could benefit from cheaper imports.