Kathmandu: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit the United States next Friday for a high-stakes summit with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. This marks Putin’s first US visit in a decade and his first since 2015. Russian Presidential Advisor Yuri Ushakov said Alaska, once under Russian control, was a fitting venue for the talks. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy echoed the sentiment, citing the region’s strategic significance in national security, energy resources, and Arctic policy.

Ukraine Crisis at the Core
The central agenda of the summit will be finding a lasting resolution to the Ukraine crisis. President Trump has hinted at possible land swaps as part of a peace settlement. Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Minister stressed the need for mutual understanding to end the war.

Other Areas of Cooperation
Discussions will also touch on environmental protection, infrastructure, and energy development in Alaska and the Arctic. Russian investment chief Kirill Dmitriev noted that both nations see potential for joint projects in these resource-rich regions.

Uncertainty Over Zelenskyy’s Role
The potential participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains unclear. While Trump has said his presence is unnecessary for the talks, Zelenskyy has warned that any agreement reached without Ukraine’s full involvement will face obstacles in implementation.