White House Considers Inviting Zelensky to Alaska Ahead of Trump-Putin Meeting
The White House is contemplating an invitation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend a scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, according to NBC News, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official and three sources familiar with the discussions.
“This is being discussed,” one insider revealed, emphasizing that while the visit is still not confirmed, it remains a possibility.
A senior administration official noted that the White House is “absolutely” open to the idea. “Everyone is very hopeful that this will happen,” the official added.
When asked whether an official invitation had been extended to Zelensky, the official reiterated, “The President remains open to hosting a trilateral summit involving both leaders. Right now, the White House is focused on planning a bilateral meeting at President Putin’s request.”
Trump announced on Friday that he would meet with Putin on August 15 in an effort to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. Initially, the White House had stated that Putin’s meeting with Zelensky was a prerequisite before Trump’s encounter with the Russian leader; however, Trump later indicated that this was no longer a condition.
If Zelensky travels to Alaska, it remains uncertain whether he and Putin would meet in the same room, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Heightened diplomatic efforts toward ending the war in Ukraine follow a meeting between Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin in Moscow just ahead of the deadline set by the President, which was Friday, when the Russian leader was expected to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions.
Despite not agreeing to a ceasefire, Putin proposed a general framework for a peace agreement that would allow Russia to maintain control over significant territories in Ukraine. Zelensky firmly stated on Saturday that Ukrainians “will not surrender their land to the occupiers.”
Trump commented on Friday that there would be “some exchange of territories for the benefit of both sides” between Russia and Ukraine.
