"Territorial Negotiations Expected if Zelensky Participates"
Give-and-Take Talks on Borders Anticipated at the Summit
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on August 15 (local time) that if the U.S.-Russia summit in Anchorage, Alaska is successful, a subsequent summit involving the Ukrainian leader will be held, during which negotiations regarding the Russia-Ukraine territorial boundaries will take place.
In an interview with Fox News Radio on August 14, the day before the summit, President Trump stated that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would "set up the next summit, which could be a trilateral meeting including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or a multilateral meeting involving European leaders." He added, "The second summit will be very important, because it will be a meeting to reach an agreement."
Furthermore, during a Q&A session with reporters following a speech on Social Security at the White House, President Trump said, "What I want from the U.S.-Russia summit is to set the table for a subsequent (trilateral or multilateral) summit," indicating that he envisions a trilateral summit with himself, President Putin, and President Zelensky, or a multilateral summit including European heads of state.
President Trump also addressed the possibility of a ceasefire or end-of-war agreement regarding the war in Ukraine at a potential trilateral summit, saying, "I don't want to use the phrase 'dividing something,' but that's not a bad expression," and added, "There will be some give-and-take regarding borders and territory."
If he and President Putin are able to devise a ceasefire or end-of-war plan at the U.S.-Russia summit, a U.S.-Russia-Ukraine trilateral summit will be held, where negotiations are expected to take place over the incorporation of parts of Ukrainian territory-occupied by Russia since it began its invasion in 2022-into Russian territory.
President Trump also stated that the next round of negotiations should "take place early" after the U.S.-Russia summit, adding, "I want to see it happen very soon." In addition, he mentioned that he has three locations in mind in preparation for a potential trilateral summit if the current summit concludes successfully, and that the easiest option would be to invite President Zelensky to Alaska for a follow-up meeting.
Regarding the prospects for his meeting with President Putin, President Trump said, "Right now, I believe he is convinced that an agreement will be reached," and added, "I think he will agree." He also noted, "There is a 25% chance that this summit will not be a successful one."
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