The White House is actively considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska next week, where President Donald Trump has scheduled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While no official invitation has been issued yet, U.S. officials say a three-way summit is "absolutely possible," and they remain hopeful it will happen.

Summit Still Plans for Trump-Putin Meeting

For now, the U.S. government is focused on organizing the bilateral meeting requested by Putin. However, they haven’t ruled out adding Zelenskyy to the agenda—or even setting up a direct interaction between him and Putin—if circumstances allow.

Ceasefire on the Agenda, Territorial Swap Proposed

President Trump announced that he will meet President Putin on August 15 to push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. During the announcement, Trump suggested that a peace deal might involve swapping territories between the two countries. The details of such a proposal remain vague.

Zelenskyy Seeks a Seat at the Table—and Rejects Concessions

President Zelenskyy firmly rejected any idea of ceding Ukrainian land. He emphasized that Ukraine’s Constitution protects its territorial integrity and stated that “no one will give their land to the occupier.” He warned that any deal excluding Ukraine would be “a dead decision.” Zelenskyy remains open to genuine dialogue but insists on being included in all negotiations that concern his country.

European Leaders Stand Firm with Ukraine

European leaders including those from the UK, France, Germany, and others echoed Zelenskyy’s stance. They jointly declared that peace talks cannot proceed without Ukraine and that its borders must be respected. They also called for strong security guarantees to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. Holding the summit in Alaska is both practical and symbolic. Alaska shares proximity to Russia, lying just across the Bering Strait. The location offers security, neutrality, and historical significance—originating from its sale by Russia to the U.S. in 1867.

Stakes Are High

If Zelenskyy attends, this could be the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. since the war began. However, with disagreements over territorial claims, ceasefire terms, and security assurances, a breakthrough still faces major hurdles. Still, even getting all parties into the same room could help break the diplomatic stalemate.