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Trump meets Putin in Alaska, hopes to resume talks about Ukraine
Across our northern border Friday afternoon, the fate of European security and the war in Ukraine are at the center of a high-stakes sit-down between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both leaders and their advisors are in Alaska for a summit, one that excluded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump and Putin appeared to have a warm greeting when they touched down in Anchorage.
Trump says today’s goal is to get Putin back to the negotiating table, where talks can begin about stopping the war in Ukraine.
Prior to the start of their meeting, the press shouted out questions at the Russian leader, where he responded with a confused expression.
Trump also did not take questions and just thanked reporters for attending.
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What’s on the agenda are discussions surrounding U.S. sanctions against Russia, security across Europe, and most importantly a ceasefire in Ukraine.
That might come at a cost where Moscow will seek gains in a deal and try to block Kyiv from joining NATO.
A small group of protestors, in support of Ukraine, were seen outside of the base where the meeting happened.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy says that he’s “counting on America” to pull through and help form a trilateral arrangement between the countries.
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While on Air Force One, Trump didn’t commit to a certain outcome.
“There’s nothing set in stone. I want certain things. I want to see a ceasefire. This is not to do with Europe. Europe’s not telling me what to do, but they’re going to be involved in the process, obviously, as well as Zelenskyy,” says Trump.
“But I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I don’t know what it’s going to be today, but I’m not going to be happy if it’s not today. Everyone said it can’t be today. But I’m just saying I want the killing to stop.”
Initially, today’s summit was supposed to include a one-on-one between Trump and Putin, but plans changed quickly, where Russia’s foreign aides joined as well as Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
