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On August 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump was photographed shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting aimed at negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict. Following their discussions, Trump announced that he and Putin had agreed to hold another summit, which would take place soon in Budapest. This development came after a productive over-two-hour phone call between the two leaders, though the Kremlin did not immediately comment.
The conversation was a surprise as it coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s scheduled visit to the White House, where he intended to seek increased military assistance, including potentially long-range offensive missiles. Despite the positive tone from the U.S.-Russia call, the timing raised questions about the likelihood of Ukraine receiving such support soon.
Kyiv and Moscow have been intensifying attacks on energy infrastructure, with large-scale strikes on power facilities amid ongoing conflict. NATO continues to grapple with Russian air incursions, and the upcoming summit between Trump and Putin will follow lower-level discussions between Washington and Moscow planned for next week—though no specific date has been set.
Trump has stated that he would brief Zelensky on the Russia talks in the Oval Office. He also expressed optimism about the progress made during the call, stating, “I believe great progress was made with today’s telephone conversation.”
Ukraine has been actively seeking U.S. Tomahawk long-range missiles, aiming to extend its attack range to include Moscow and other major Russian cities within missile range. Trump, a Republican committed to ending the war initiated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has expressed frustration with Putin over ongoing assaults.
He mentioned that he could supply Ukraine with long-range weapons if Putin refuses to enter negotiations. In recent attacks, Russia launched over 300 drones and 37 missiles targeting Ukrainian infrastructure throughout the night, according to Zelensky. Kyiv has responded by increasing its own strikes against Russian targets, including an oil refinery in the Saratov region.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy and power facilities, especially during the winters, as the conflict enters its fourth year. Meanwhile, Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed to cease buying Russian oil, and that the U.S. would encourage China to do the same, although India has not officially confirmed such a pledge. Reuters reported that some Indian refiners are preparing to reduce Russian oil imports gradually.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Washington would impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression if the war persists, emphasizing the ongoing strategic repercussions of the conflict.
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