Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting in Alaska today, with the U.S. president aiming to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, though prospects remain uncertain. Putin has made a last-minute proposal for a potential nuclear agreement, offering both leaders a chance to claim diplomatic success.
The talks, taking place at a Cold War-era air force base, mark the first face-to-face encounter between the Russian and U.S. presidents since Trump’s return to the White House. The meeting comes amid concern in Ukraine and across Europe that Trump could compromise Kyiv’s position.
The White House has confirmed that the meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Alaska time (1900 GMT).
Trump, who once vowed to end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours, admitted on Thursday that the three-and-a-half-year conflict has turned out to be a far tougher challenge than he initially expected.
He added that if his talks with Putin prove successful, arranging a follow-up three-way summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is not invited to Friday’s meeting . It would be an even more significant step than his direct discussions with the Russian leader.
Trump is pushing for a truce in hopes of enhancing his image as a global peacemaker and boosting his chances of winning the Nobel Peace Prize — a goal he has openly valued.
Ukraine and its European allies expressed optimism after a Wednesday conference call in which they said Trump agreed that Kyiv must be included in any negotiations involving the potential cession of territory. President Zelenskiy noted that Trump also backed the idea of security guarantees in a post-war arrangement, though the U.S. president has not mentioned these publicly.
Leave a comment