"Europe doesn't tell me what to do," Trump told reporters on his presidential plane en route to Alaska. Asked what would make the meeting a success, the Republican said,"I can't tell you. I don't know."
Nothing is set in stone, the 79-year-old emphasized."I want certain things. (...) I want a quick ceasefire. (...) I won't be happy if that doesn't happen today. (...) I want the killing to stop."
European states such as Germany, France and Great Britain had recently repeatedly tried to give Trump conditions for an agreement in the Ukraine war from a European perspective and demanded that fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests be safeguarded at the summit in Alaska.
According to Moscow, the summit at a Cold War-era air base in Anchorage will begin at 11:30 a.m. local time (9:30 p.m. CEST). The Kremlin says the two heads of state will hold a joint press conference afterward.
Trump and Putin appeared moderate before summit
Previously, Trump had expressed optimism about a positive outcome, saying that a ceasefire would be discussed to end the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.
Signals of a willingness to compromise also came from Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the talks, and his European allies fear that Trump could betray Ukraine's interests—for example, by freezing the conflict and recognizing Russia's control over one-fifth of Ukraine.
"I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine"
Trump, however, tried to allay these concerns."I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine; I'm here to get them to the table," he said. Rather, Ukraine itself should decide on possible territorial cessions.
Zelensky wrote on the Telegram platform that it was time to end the war."And the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America." The meeting between Trump and Putin should pave the way for a "just peace" and three-way talks with his, Zelensky's, participation.
Meeting should last six hours
According to the Kremlin, the meeting is expected to last around six hours. It is the first summit between the heads of state of the US and Russia since 2021. Both presidents hope for success from their first face-to-face meeting since Trump's return to the White House. Trump, who describes the war as a"bloodbath" with a risk of escalation, is pushing for a ceasefire in the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict. This would strengthen his reputation as a global peacemaker. For Putin, the meeting itself is a success – after all, it appears that the West's years-long attempts to isolate Russia have failed. Trump said of Putin:"He's a smart guy who's been doing this for a long time, but so have I. We get along; there's a good amount of respect on both sides."
Putin sees subsequent costs
Sources close to the Kremlin – which usually only discloses information when Putin wants it – said that Putin understands Russia's economic vulnerability and the costs of continuing the war. Therefore, Putin could be willing to compromise. It is to be expected that, in addition to Russia, Ukraine will also have to make difficult concessions."Apparently, some conditions will be agreed upon. Because you can't say no to Trump, and we are not in a position to refuse (due to the pressure of sanctions)," the insider said.
Reuters had previously reported that Putin might be willing to freeze the conflict along the front lines. This would require a legally binding commitment not to expand NATO further eastward and the lifting of some Western sanctions. Ukraine, however, has stated that it will not formally cede any territory to Moscow. The country also needs a US-backed security guarantee.
According to the White House, Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, among others, flew to Alaska for the US. Several businessmen are also said to be participating on the Russian side. In recent weeks, there have been repeated reports that Trump could reveal Ukraine's positions in return for economic benefits from the US.
