How Trump and Putin's past meetings went - and what to expect this time

August 14, 2025

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, marking another significant chapter in their complex relationship. This upcoming summit follows several previous meetings between the two leaders, including encounters at G20 summits and their controversial Helsinki talks in 2018. Former officials describe stark differences in their meeting styles, with Putin characterized as detailed, controlled, and strategic due to his KGB background, while Trump is portrayed as unprepared and improvisational.

Who is affected

Ukrainian people and nation, whose war-torn country is the central topic of discussion
Russian citizens, whose country is involved in the ongoing conflict
American citizens and allies whose international relations are impacted by Trump's diplomatic approach
International community watching the potential outcomes of peace negotiations
Diplomats and officials who must navigate the consequences of the leaders' decisions

What action is being taken

Trump and Putin are meeting in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
Trump is attempting to negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict
Trump is downplaying expectations for the meeting, describing it as a "feel-out" exercise
Trump is threatening "very severe consequences" if Putin does not agree to end the war
Trump's team is preparing briefing materials for the meeting (though former officials suggest he may not read them)

Why it matters

The meeting could potentially impact the trajectory of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth year
The summit represents a significant diplomatic effort to address a major international conflict
The personal dynamics between Trump and Putin have historically influenced policy outcomes
Trump's approach contradicts his previous actions during their Helsinki meeting, where he sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies
The meeting's outcome could affect international security and geopolitical relationships

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC