Trump-Putin Alaska Summit Nears Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Western Tensions

President Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss a potential peace deal for Ukraine, expressing optimism that he will know within the first two minutes of the meeting whether a deal can be made. Trump has emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and a fair deal for both parties, linking Russia's struggling economy to US sanctions, including a 50% tariff on countries buying Russian oil. Downing Street has warned Trump not to trust Putin to adhere to any ceasefire, cautioning that Russia might use any pause to regroup for new offensives, a concern echoed by Ukrainian President Zelensky, who insists that any border changes must be decided by Ukrainians themselves. Meanwhile, international actors such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have reiterated support for Ukraine's sovereignty and condemned border changes by force. Tensions have also risen between the US and India, with Trump imposing tariffs on Indian products in response to India's purchase of Russian energy, complicating global efforts to limit Russia's war funding. Zelensky and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have discussed the importance of sanctions to reduce Russia's ability to sustain its war effort, planning further diplomatic engagements to coordinate their positions.