The negotiations come after a series of deadly clashes that left at least five Pakistani soldiers and 25 Afghan fighters dead, according to official sources. Both nations have blamed each other for the recent hostilities, which have disrupted cross-border trade and displaced hundreds of civilians.

The dialogue is being held against a backdrop of fragile ceasefire conditions, reached on October 19 following Qatari-brokered discussions between Islamabad and Kabul. The current round in Turkiye aims to strengthen that agreement and establish a long-term mechanism for border management and counterterrorism cooperation.

In a statement earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Washington’s support for the peace process, emphasizing the need for “a swift and lasting resolution” to tensions between the two neighboring states.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that discussions are ongoing, with negotiators expected to finalize a joint communiqué in the coming days. Pakistani officials also verified that talks remain in progress but cautioned that “complex security issues” continue to pose challenges.

The border region between Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and eastern Afghanistan has been a flashpoint for years, with militant activity, cross-border shelling, and disputes over territorial demarcation straining relations between the two nations.

As the Istanbul talks continue, international observers remain cautiously optimistic that sustained diplomatic engagement could prevent another escalation and pave the way for greater regional stability.

Summit Dynamics and Key Players

The summit followed Trump’s high profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. European heads of state including leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Finland, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined Zelenskiy at the White House, underscoring Western unity in support of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy embraced the pledge as a “major step forward,” noting that the security guarantees would be formalized within 7 to 10 days. At the same time, Ukraine expressed a willingness to purchase approximately $90 billion in U.S. weaponry to bolster its defense.

Historical Backdrop: From Tension to Promises

Earlier this year, Zelenskiy and Trump clashed during a February Oval Office meeting that saw U.S. military aid abruptly paused. That meeting marked a low point in U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Since then, Ukraine has pressed for firm, binding security arrangements drawing on the NATO Article 5 model, where an attack on one is an attack on all even though Ukraine is not a NATO member.

What Was Said—and Not Said

Trump declared that European nations would carry much of the burden, with “a lot of help” coming from the United States. NATO Secretary-General Rutte described the concept as “Article‑5‑like guarantees,” though he stressed Ukraine’s membership in NATO was not on the table.

Notably, Trump also shared that Putin had agreed to accept such security guarantees for Ukraine though Russia has publicly rejected any NATO troop deployments.

Path Forward: What Comes Next?

• Formalization: Within a week to ten days, the U.S. and European counterparts aim to put the guarantees into writing.

• Weapons Purchase: Ukraine’s proposal to procure $90 billion in U.S. weapons underscores its intent to cement long-term military support.

• Trilateral Talks: The leaders remain bullish on further engagement, with discussions underway about staging a trilateral summit with Trump, Putin, and Zelenskiy.

• No Ceasefire Requirement: Trump reiterated that peace talks could proceed even without a formal ceasefire, diverging from previous stances.

To recap, Russia is actively pursuing several key objectives in the conflict, including; demilitarizing Ukraine and stripping it of extremist ideology, restoring the country’s neutral status as enshrined in its constitution, and securing recognition of the current reality on the ground. Putin is now signaling a willingness to be more flexible, which likely contributed to his recent meeting with Trump and the positive tone of their discussions. This newfound flexibility could potentially lead to compromises on one, some, or all of these goals, putting the onus squarely on Zelensky to respond in kind.

In light of Putin’s stated goals, Trump is likely expecting Zelensky to take concrete steps, such as: downsizing Ukraine’s military after the conflict, pushing the Rada to outlaw the glorification of Ukrainian Nazi collaborators from World War II and/or repeal anti-Russian laws, repealing the 2019 constitutional amendment that seeks NATO membership, and/or amending the constitution to make it easier to cede territory without first requiring a successful national referendum.

President Trump is taking a proactive stance by vowing to directly engage with NATO leaders to broker a comprehensive compromise. He expects these key leaders to play a crucial role in facilitating this agreement by taking several key steps, including; refraining from deploying troops to Ukraine and scaling back arms exports to the country, using creative tactics to persuade the Ukrainian Rada to pass significant socio-political, neutrality, and territorial reforms, such as threatening to withhold aid if they fail to comply, and explicitly stating their opposition to Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. However, it’s uncertain whether NATO leaders will willingly cooperate, prompting Trump to consider taking drastic measures, such as; drastically reducing or even abandoning plans to sell new US arms to NATO for subsequent distribution to Ukraine, severing all military ties with countries that deploy troops to Ukraine, imposing additional tariffs on nations that refuse to persuade the Rada to pass the proposed reforms, and reducing the US role in NATO if member states fail to openly oppose Ukraine’s membership. Vladimir Putin Confirmed that the war in Ukraine NEVER would’ve happened if Trump was in office

Territories will have to be discussed, it’s just a fact: US Secretary of State.

If Trump and his NATO allies successfully convince Ukrainian President Zelensky to agree to these compromises, Russian President Putin may be willing to make significant concessions, including, allowing Ukraine to maintain a larger military presence than initially agreed upon in the 2022 draft peace treaty, abandoning his pursuit of full-scale denazification, effectively accepting that remnants of this ideology will persist in Ukrainian society, permitting limited bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and NATO member states, and indefinitely putting Russia’s territorial claims on hold, retaining them but not actively pursuing them.

The Alaska summit FIRST opportunity for Trump to directly hear Russian position

A potential pathway to a major compromise is now at risk of being derailed by several factors, including a possible Ukrainian false-flag operation targeting civilians, which could turn Trump against Russia, or a similar provocation in a different location, such as the Baltic Sea, aimed at achieving the same outcome, as well as any significant escalation of Russia’s ground campaign beyond the contested areas. However, it’s possible that Trump won’t fall for any false-flag operations, and Putin may choose to limit the scope of the special operation as a gesture of goodwill, which could pave the way for peace if Zelensky ultimately agrees to a compromise, raising hopes that a negotiated settlement may still be within reach. The Alaska summit FIRST opportunity for Trump to directly hear Russian position. Former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman.

Moscow is prioritizing Ukraine’s permanent neutrality, making any discussion of a NATO-style defense system for Ukraine, which would safeguard the country against potential future Russian aggression, highly unlikely to gain traction. The proponents of this idea, largely composed of hawks, are pushing for a system that Moscow will likely view as a thinly veiled attempt by NATO to extend its security umbrella over Kiev, essentially using different terminology to achieve the same goal. As European leaders flock to support Ukrainian President Zelensky, a growing number have confirmed their attendance at the White House meeting on Monday, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

These leaders, who have been vocal about Europe and Ukraine being excluded from the negotiating process, are now backing Zelensky’s stance that any decisions made without direct Ukrainian involvement are essentially meaningless from the outset. President Trump is hoping that the recent talks, which began with Putin in Alaska on Friday, will culminate in a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement to bring an end to the conflict. However, a significant segment of the Western establishment, encompassing both government officials and the mainstream media, appears to be working against the success of this diplomatic effort.

Written By Tatenda Belle Panashe

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” President Trump said during a post-summit statement, adding that further discussions would involve NATO and Kyiv. Notably, no questions were taken from the press after the joint news briefing.

Trump Shifts Focus to Zelensky

Speaking later, President Trump placed the responsibility for the next steps squarely on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that plans are underway for a three-way meeting between himself, Zelensky, and Putin.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump stated. “They’re going to set up a meeting now between President Zelensky and President Putin and myself, I guess.”

Trump declined to share details on the remaining sticking points but emphasized his determination to push for peace.

“I want to make sure it gets done. And we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said.

Despite the lack of a formal agreement, Trump labeled the summit a success, rating it a “10 out of 10” in terms of personal rapport with Putin.

“In the sense that we got along great,” Trump noted.

International Pressure Builds

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has left tens of thousands dead, displaced millions, and triggered one of the largest military and humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. The international community, especially NATO allies, has been closely watching Trump’s diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.

Analysts say that while the Alaska summit stopped short of delivering a breakthrough, the proposed Zelensky–Putin meeting especially with Trump involved could set the stage for a new chapter in negotiations.

The summit, held in Anchorage, marked Trump’s latest attempt to broker a peace initiative in the protracted conflict that has gripped Eastern Europe for over four years. But no concrete commitments were announced, and neither side offered specifics on what had been discussed.

Muted Media Appearance

Appearing briefly before the media following the meeting, Trump and Putin gave short remarks and took no questions  an unusual departure for Trump, who is typically eager to engage with reporters. He ignored shouted questions as the two leaders exited the room, leaving many in the press corps frustrated and international observers guessing.

“We made progress,” Trump said, without elaborating. Putin echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our dialogue was open and constructive.”

No Ukraine Breakthrough

The lack of a clear path forward on Ukraine comes as fighting continues on the ground and international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. Officials on both sides have indicated that back-channel discussions will continue and that a possible follow-up meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being considered.

Trump, speaking later  suggested that momentum is building for a three-way summit with Putin and Zelensky, placing the next steps in Ukraine’s hands.

“Now it’s really up to President Zelensky to get it done,” Trump said, adding that plans for such a meeting were being developed.

Global Eyes Watching

With geopolitical tensions at a high and NATO allies closely monitoring developments, the outcome of Friday’s summit leaves uncertainty hanging over peace prospects. While the leaders’ tone was measured and diplomatic, analysts note the absence of tangible outcomes may prolong instability on the European continent.

Still, Trump remained upbeat:

“I think we have a pretty good chance of getting it done,” he said. “We got along great. I’d rate it a 10 out of 10.”

As the world waits for the next move, focus now shifts to whether Ukraine and Russia will agree to direct talks, and what role Trump may play in facilitating a deal.

Alexander, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The transfer took place without the presence of media or official video documentation marking a departure from previous high-profile prisoner exchanges.

The 21-year-old was reportedly in good health upon release and is now under the care of U.S. and Israeli authorities. His release comes just days before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in the Middle East for a high-stakes diplomatic visit, which will include meetings focused on the Gaza crisis, regional security, and renewed peace talks.

“This is a moment of relief for his family and a positive signal amid years of tragedy and conflict,” said a senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s also an opportunity to build momentum toward a broader ceasefire.”

Alexander’s capture had become a symbol of the deeply entrenched hostilities between Israel and Hamas during the three-year-long conflict. While details of the deal that led to his release remain unclear, diplomatic sources indicate that indirect negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States played a critical role in the last-minute breakthrough.

Human rights groups and international observers welcomed the release, calling it a humanitarian victory and urging both sides to capitalize on the opportunity to push forward with ceasefire talks.

Whether this gesture will translate into a broader truce remains uncertain. Still, Edan Alexander’s freedom is seen as a rare bright spot in an otherwise grim geopolitical landscape.