Washington - Saba:
US officials familiar with the matter told a local media outlet that "the White House is discussing the possibility of inviting Volodymyr Zelensky to Alaska, but a final decision has not yet been made on the visit." NBC News quoted a source as saying, "The matter is under discussion," adding, "No final decision has yet been made on the visit, and it remains unknown whether Zelensky will be in Alaska during Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump."
The source added, "The president remains open to holding a three-way summit with the two leaders. The White House is currently focused on planning the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin."
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he will meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on August 15 in Alaska as part of his efforts to help mediate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Trump wrote on his Truth Social account: "The highly anticipated meeting between me, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the great state of Alaska."
Trump revealed that "an agreement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will include a land swap," without providing any details, stating that "the issue of land swaps between Ukraine and Russia is complex but mutually beneficial."
Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian president, told reporters: "Looking ahead, it is natural that we aim to hold the next meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on Russian soil. The invitation has already been extended to the American president."
He noted that "in this American state, as in the Arctic, the economic interests of the two countries intersect, and there is an opportunity to implement various projects."
Ushakov explained: "But, of course, the two presidents will undoubtedly focus on discussing options for achieving a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis."