WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV. U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine, but suggested that a lasting peace deal would likely require a second meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Speaking to reporters at the White House ahead of Friday’s U.S.–Russia summit in Anchorage, Alaska, Trump said, “I think President Putin will make peace, I think President Zelenskiy will make peace. We’ll see if they get along.” He downplayed expectations of a ceasefire from the upcoming talks, describing them as a prelude to broader negotiations that could involve European leaders.
Putin, preparing for the summit, told senior ministers that the U.S. was making “energetic and sincere efforts” to stop the conflict and establish long-term peace. He signaled that nuclear arms control would be on the agenda, along with discussions on improving Russia–U.S. economic ties.
Western officials have expressed concern that Moscow could use offers on arms control or trade to divert attention from Ukraine. An Eastern European official warned that Russia’s goal was to avoid new sanctions and have existing ones lifted.
Ukraine and its European allies have been working to ensure that no U.S.–Russia deal leaves Kyiv vulnerable. Russia currently controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, and officials fear a settlement could cement those gains.
Friday’s meeting will be the first Russia–U.S. summit since June 2021 and comes at a critical point in the war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump has threatened “severe consequences” and potential new sanctions if the talks fail, but said it will be up to Putin and Zelenskiy to negotiate the terms of any deal. A joint or separate press conference is expected after the summit.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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