Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed approval of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiatives to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine, as both leaders gear up for a crucial summit in Alaska on Friday.
The meeting marks Putin’s first known visit to a Western nation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
The talks, set to start at 19:30 GMT, will begin with a private session between the two leaders, assisted only by interpreters, followed by broader discussions with delegations, a working lunch, and a planned joint news conference.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, notably absent from the summit, met with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday to discuss the talks and Ukraine’s security needs.
Putin, addressing senior officials in Moscow, described the U.S. administration’s efforts as “quite energetic and sincere” in seeking to halt the conflict and broker agreements beneficial to all parties.
The Russian delegation, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, will also explore economic cooperation, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noting the huge “untapped potential” in U.S.-Russia trade.
Trump has indicated a 25% chance the summit could fail but suggested a successful meeting might lead to a follow-up with Zelenskyy included.
However, Trump’s mention of a possible joint news conference was contradicted by his own statement that no final decision on such an event has been made, highlighting uncertainties in the summit’s structure.
European leaders and Zelenskyy have voiced apprehension about being excluded from the Alaska talks, fearing outcomes that might favor Moscow and jeopardize Ukraine’s security.
On Wednesday, Trump held a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders, assuring them of his commitment to prioritizing a ceasefire, though concerns persist about the bilateral nature of the summit.
Starmer, after hosting Zelenskyy, emphasized Britain’s unwavering support for Ukraine and cautioned that any deal must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, warning against forced border changes.
Zelenskyy, rejecting proposals like territorial swaps, stressed the need for robust security guarantees to ensure lasting peace, a sentiment echoed by the Coalition of the Willing, led by Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.