Few expect Friday’s Trump-Putin summit in Alaska to lead to a major breakthrough. Russia and Ukraine remain deeply divided—Moscow wants to dominate its smaller neighbor, while Kyiv seeks closer ties with the West.
Here are the key issues that must be resolved for any meaningful peace deal:
### 1. Territory
After more than three years of war, Russia occupies about a fifth of Ukraine but still demands more land. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow wanted the remaining part of Donetsk—9,000 square kilometers—in exchange for a ceasefire. Ukraine rejected the offer, seeing it as too little in return. The public would also likely oppose surrendering more territory.
Kyiv is open to a ceasefire along current frontlines, followed by talks on the future of occupied regions. This is a highly sensitive issue. Russia wants formal recognition of its seized lands, especially Crimea, but Ukraine would at most accept de facto control. Another option is delaying the status of occupied areas for future negotiations—possibly “in 25 years,” as suggested by John Foreman, a former British defense attaché to Moscow.
### 2. Security Guarantees
Russia insists on Ukrainian neutrality, which in practice means a weak Ukraine cut off from the West. In past talks, Moscow demanded Kyiv reduce its military to just 50,000 troops and pushed for “denazification”—widely seen as code for removing Zelenskyy.
Ukraine wants NATO membership, but the U.S. has rejected this, leaving Kyiv seeking security guarantees from Western allies instead. Britain and France have pledged to lead a European “reassurance force” that would enter Ukraine if a stable ceasefire is reached—though Russia opposes the idea.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump indicated the U.S. might also join security guarantees to prevent future war. However, it’s unclear what Trump would offer, and a bilateral deal like those with Japan or South Korea seems unlikely. Without Russia accepting Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements, progress will be difficult.
### 3. Sanctions and Trade
Russia wants Western sanctions lifted, but Trump can only speak for the U.S.—the UK and EU are unlikely to ease restrictions unless a full peace deal is signed. The Kremlin also hopes for broader cooperation, with Putin’s adviser mentioning potential trade and economic discussions. Still, without progress on other issues, a unilateral U.S. move to relax sanctions would be surprising.
### 4. War Crimes, Reparations, and Reconstruction
War crimes and reparations can’t be ignored in any peace deal. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Zelenskyy has demanded their return as a first step in talks, but the ICC’s case won’t disappear.
Ukraine is also obligated to investigate war crimes against its own citizens, says human rights lawyer Wayne Jordash. Meanwhile, the World Bank estimates reconstruction costs at €506 billion (£435 billion), with funding likely tied to a UN-backed resolution.
For now, the gap between Russia and Ukraine remains wide—and Friday’s summit may do little to close it.The Council of Europe has established a registry for reparation claims to document eligible compensation requests. However, Russia has refused to contribute to reconstruction funding, forcing Ukraine to explore other ways to finance its postwar recovery. One possibility is seizing roughly $280 billion (£207 billion) in Russian assets held abroad, but gaining international agreement on this has proven difficult.
Other Challenges
Several other practical issues remain. Ukraine is demanding the release of all prisoners of war alongside an initial ceasefire. Russia currently holds over 8,000 Ukrainian POWs, while Ukraine has far fewer, making one-for-one swaps complicated. Still, dozens of prisoner exchanges have occurred since the war began, and this may be one of the easier issues to resolve.
Early in the conflict, Russia took control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest. It was later shut down but remains in Russian-occupied territory. There are indications that Russia intends to restart the plant and link it to its own energy grid—a forced takeover Ukraine rejects but may be unable to stop.
Correction (15 August 2025): Estimates for Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery costs total €506 billion (£435 billion), not £4.35 billion as previously stated.
FAQS
### **FAQs About the Trump-Putin Summit on Ukraine Peace**
#### **Beginner-Level Questions**
**1. What was the Trump-Putin summit about?**
The summit was a meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss key issues, including potential paths to peace in Ukraine.
**2. Why is this summit important for Ukraine?**
It raised hopes about whether the U.S. and Russia could negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
**3. Did the summit lead to any agreements on Ukraine?**
No major agreements were reached, but it kept discussions open between the two leaders on possible solutions.
**4. How did Ukraine react to the summit?**
Ukrainian leaders were cautious, as they worried about any deals made without their direct involvement.
#### **Advanced-Level Questions**
**5. What were the key talking points about Ukraine in the summit?**
Discussions likely included ceasefire possibilities, territorial disputes, and U.S.-Russia relations affecting the war.
**6. Did Trump and Putin have different views on Ukraine?**
Yes—Putin wanted reduced Western support for Ukraine, while Trump suggested he could negotiate a quick peace deal if re-elected.
**7. How did NATO and the EU respond to the summit?**
Many Western allies were skeptical, fearing Russia might use the talks to weaken international support for Ukraine.
**8. Could this summit influence future U.S. policy on Ukraine?**
Yes, especially if Trump returns to office, as he has hinted at pushing Ukraine toward a negotiated settlement with Russia.
**9. What risks does this summit pose for Ukraine’s sovereignty?**
If major powers negotiate without Ukraine’s input, it could lead to unfavorable terms, like recognizing Russian-occupied territories.
**10. Has there been progress since the summit?**
No major breakthroughs occurred, but it kept dialogue alive between the U.S. and Russia on Ukraine.
#### **Practical Concerns**
**11. Should Ukraine trust negotiations involving Putin?**
Many experts warn that Putin’s past actions suggest any deal must include strong guarantees for Ukraine.
**12. How does this affect U.S. military aid to Ukraine?**
If Trump wins the 2024 election, future aid could be tied to peace talks
