By BBC News Staff
Published: August 11, 2025 – 10:30 AM EST
BBC News has just dropped a major update: only 30 minutes ago, U.S. President Donald Trump officially confirmed the date for his highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit is scheduled to take place in the U.S. state of Alaska on Friday, August 15, 2025.
According to the White House, the primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss a potential ceasefire or peace deal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. This aligns with Trump’s long-standing campaign pledge to “end the Ukraine war within 24 hours” — a claim that has sparked both hope and skepticism.
However, multiple diplomatic sources speaking on condition of anonymity told BBC News that the ceasefire may be only the public-facing part of the talks. “It’s the headline item, but it’s not the whole story,” said one senior European diplomat. “Behind closed doors, there may be another agreement being shaped — one that could have far-reaching consequences for Ukraine and the balance of power in Eastern Europe.”
Analysts warn that this second, undisclosed agreement could involve concessions on Ukrainian territory, security guarantees for Russia, or shifts in NATO’s posture. Any such deal, they say, could place Ukraine in a precarious position — “standing at the edge” both militarily and diplomatically.
The White House has declined to confirm or deny the existence of any secondary agenda, with Press Secretary Rachel Martin telling reporters: “The President is going to Alaska to seek peace and stability. We’re not going to comment on speculative reports.” The Kremlin has been equally vague, with a short statement noting that “all possibilities will be on the table.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is still pressing for an invitation to attend the Alaska talks, backed by both EU and NATO officials. Western allies fear that any U.S.-Russia agreement struck without Ukraine at the table could undermine Kyiv’s position in future negotiations.
International reaction to the Alaska announcement has been swift. European leaders have cautiously welcomed the possibility of peace but urged transparency. Markets in both Moscow and New York opened slightly higher this morning, reflecting investor optimism that a diplomatic breakthrough — or at least a reduction in hostilities — could be on the horizon.
As the countdown to August 15 begins, all eyes are now on Alaska. If Trump and Putin manage to seal both a peace deal and an undisclosed agreement, the ripple effects could reshape global geopolitics for years to come.
