President Donald Trump believes his upcoming Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could mark a turning point in the Ukraine war. Speaking Thursday on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump said Putin now appears ready to make a deal, possibly influenced by the threat of further US sanctions.
“I think he’s going to make a deal — and we’re going to find out,” Trump said, adding that he hopes to involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a second round of talks.
The Alaska summit — the first US-Russia meeting since 2021 — could lead to a follow-up session aimed at resolving territorial disputes. Zelensky, however, has repeatedly rejected the idea of giving up land occupied by Russian troops.
“The second meeting is going to be very important, because that’s going to be a meeting where they make a deal,” Trump said, hinting at “give and take” over boundaries.
Putin, addressing Russian ministers earlier in the day, praised what he called Washington’s “sincere efforts” to end the conflict and hinted at raising nuclear arms control during discussions.
European leaders remain wary, fearing that any compromise could lock in Russia’s territorial gains and weaken Ukraine’s security. On Wednesday, Trump had assured European allies of his willingness to support security guarantees for Ukraine, although he opposed involving NATO directly.
Friday’s summit comes at a critical time for Ukraine, as the war — now in its third year — has killed tens of thousands and forced millions from their homes. Trump has warned Putin of “severe consequences” if the talks fail to produce progress toward peace.
