World Awaits Historic Summit Between Trump and Putin

The world is holding its breath ahead of a summit deemed "historic" between American President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, set to take place this Friday in Alaska. This meeting, the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since 2019, aims to pave the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine and lay the groundwork for lasting peace.

In Anchorage, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump and Putin will attempt to overcome their differences to discuss the terms of a potential resolution to the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. The stakes are high: the decisions made could redefine global geopolitical balances and deeply impact international trade relations.

Donald Trump has already suggested a controversial solution involving "territorial exchanges" between Ukraine and Russia. Moscow demands official recognition of its control over the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, in addition to the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014. Meanwhile, Ukraine remains steadfast in refusing any territorial concessions without guarantees of security and sovereignty.

The American president has stated that he will consult with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as European leaders, immediately following his meeting with Putin, expressing a desire to organize a second meeting including all three parties.

The symbolism of this summit in Alaska is significant. This region, once sold by the Russian Empire to the United States in 1867, today represents a strategic point between the two powers.

The European Union is closely monitoring developments from this summit, aware of the possible repercussions on continental security and the international order. A preparatory video conference was held Wednesday in Berlin, bringing together European leaders, Ukrainian authorities, and President Trump.

During his first term, Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin several times in multilateral settings. Since his return to the White House earlier this year, the two men have intensified their phone conversations, primarily focused on seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

A two-hour phone call between the two leaders last May highlighted a mutual interest in strengthening trade ties, with Trump indicating that agreements with Ukraine and Russia could create new economic opportunities and enhance regional stability.

Since the onset of the war in February 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has disrupted global supply chains, particularly in the food and fertilizer sectors, pushing major powers to seek sustainable solutions for securing maritime routes, especially in the Black Sea.

The Alaska summit could thus mark a decisive turning point, or at the very least, lay the foundations for renewed dialogue among the key parties involved in one of the most severe conflicts of our time.