Overview

• U.S. officials are racing to finalize a site for the August 15 summit in Alaska, marking the next step in organizing Putin’s first U.S. visit since 2007.
• The Wall Street Journal reports that Putin’s unverified peace plan could grant Russia control of Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for a ceasefire and front-line freeze.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU leaders insist that Ukraine must be directly included in all discussions about its territorial future.
• President Zelenskyy cautioned that Putin will attempt to deceive Trump at the summit and reiterated that Ukraine will not surrender land without binding security guarantees from Western allies.
• Vice President JD Vance said the administration plans to end U.S. funding for arms purchases by Ukraine and hopes European partners will assume that role.