Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have agreed to meet in Alaska on August 15 to discuss the war in Ukraine. The meeting was announced shortly before Trump's ceasefire ultimatum was set to expire. Although experts doubt the summit will deliver any major breakthroughs, some factors could force Putin to agree to a ceasefire.

The upcoming meeting is the first time both leaders are coming together since US President Trump's reelection. In mid-July, Trump said he was disappointed with Putin over Russia's bombing of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, but also said that he was "not done with him yet."

The White House and Kremlin announced the meeting after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visited Putin in the Kremlin on August 6, though it is unclear what exactly will be discussed in Alaska. We do know that the talks will focus on Ukraine, but the country itself will not be represented at the meeting. Washington and Moscow are not planning for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend........

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