The summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, scheduled for this Friday in Alaska, has sparked international anticipation. Beyond the meeting itself, analysts and diplomats are trying to decipher what the Russian president truly wants from this encounter, set against a backdrop of the war in Ukraine, economic sanctions, and geopolitical tensions between both countries.

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Why is the meeting between Trump and Putin being held in Alaska?

The Kremlin confirmed that the meeting will take place at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the state’s most populous city and a former Russian colony until the 19th century. According to Putin’s adviser, Yuri Ushakov, the program includes a face-to-face conversation at noon local time, followed by a working lunch and negotiations between delegations. The Russian team will include key figures such as Serguei Lavrov (Foreign Affairs), Andrei Belousov (Defense), and Anton Siluanov (Economy). The U.S. delegation has yet to be revealed.

For the Kremlin, the choice of location carries a symbolic element: it is “close to the graves of Soviet pilots in Alaska,” a historical nod to Moscow’s ties with the region.

What is Putin’s official and real agenda?

The official topic of the Trump-Putin meeting will be the war in Ukraine, although economic cooperation and global security will also be discussed. However, Ukrainian sources cited by The New York Times warn that Putin may present pseudo-historical materials, including maps, to convince Trump that Ukraine is an artificial state. This narrative has been repeatedly used by Moscow to justify its invasion.

Beyond the announced topics, experts suggest that Putin seeks something broader: to strengthen his role as an interlocutor with the United States, break his diplomatic isolation, and explore strategic agreements that go beyond the war, such as Arctic cooperation or economic arrangements that weaken Western sanctions.

What does Putin want from this summit?

Putin may be using the meeting as a delaying tactic and as an attempt to reposition Russia as a global power. His vision is reminiscent of postwar powers: establishing “spheres of influence” without external interference. Among his probable demands are:

• Recognition of eastern Ukraine as Russian territory.
• A guarantee that Ukraine will not join NATO.
• A block on NATO expansion into former Soviet republics.
• Limiting the size of the Ukrainian army.
• A government in Kyiv more aligned with Moscow.

These conditions have already been proposed in previous negotiation rounds, such as those held in Istanbul, and have been rejected by Ukraine and its allies.

What is at stake for Trump?

Since his election campaign, Donald Trump has expressed his desire to end the conflict. The president, who defines himself as a “supreme negotiator,” even aspires to a Nobel Prize for his work as a mediator.

At first, Trump was critical of sending military aid to Kyiv and adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Moscow. However, after the increase in Russian attacks on civilians, he authorized a greater supply of weapons to Ukraine and condemned the bombings, calling them “disgraceful” and “disgusting.”

Trump has warned that “there will be very serious consequences” for Russia if Putin does not halt the offensive after the planned meeting. Although he has threatened to impose tougher sanctions, Moscow has managed to withstand previous measures thanks to the strength of its energy exports.

Direct trade between the United States and Russia is minimal, and so far Washington has not imposed tariffs on Russian products as high as those applied to other U.S. trading partners.

How is Ukraine reacting to this meeting?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that any agreement excluding him “would be dead on arrival.” In a recent call with Trump and European leaders, five key principles were established, including:

• Keeping Ukraine in future negotiations.
• Rejecting discussions about territorial exchanges before a ceasefire.
• Postwar security guarantees, including the potential right to join NATO.
• Increasing economic pressure on Russia if no progress is made.

Despite the enormous human and material cost, most Ukrainians reject the concessions demanded by the Kremlin.

What could this summit mean for the global balance?

The Anchorage meeting may not yield concrete agreements but could shift the diplomatic landscape. For Putin, simply sitting across from a U.S. president after years of isolation is a symbolic victory. For Trump, it is an opportunity to reinforce his image as a global mediator, though he risks being perceived as a president who yields ground to Moscow.