Alaska summit to test Putin on ceasefire, says NATO chief

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump in Alaska as an important test of Russia’s intentions of ending its war in Ukraine. The real issue at hand is ensuring long-term security for Ukraine beyond the ceasefire, Rutte said in an interview that aired Sunday night on CBS News. Trump over the weekend announced plans to meet with Putin this Friday in Alaska. The summit marked the first time in 18 years for a Russian official to be invited to the United States outside of the United Nations.

Rutte cited disputed territory as one of the biggest issues to hammer out for a ceasefire, acknowledging that Russia now controls pieces of Ukraine’s pre-war territory. Perhaps Russia’s control of some Ukrainian territory could be recognized only effectively, rather than politically, he suggested. The ceasefire deal will need to acknowledge Ukraine’s sovereignty and that it has the right to decide its own geopolitical future, he told CBS News. Rutte added that there should be no limits on military troop numbers for Ukraine or NATO’s presence on the eastern flank.

What else is being said about the meeting? Any decisions made without Ukraine are pointless and will not result in peace, according to a Saturday statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Moscow will not be rewarded with land for its invasion, he insisted. Russia started this war, and is now dragging it out, but only Russia can end it, he continued. Ukraine is ready to work with Trump and all international partners for a lasting peace, Zelenskyy said.

Officials have not shared additional details about the meeting such as the venue, timing, or press availability. The announcement came after several weeks of back-and-forth negotiations between Russia and the United States over Russia reaching a ceasefire with Ukraine. The Alaska summit was announced days after U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited Moscow and Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy to affirm American support for Ukraine.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s previous report hinting at a possible meeting between Putin and Trump last week.