Anchorage: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska for a high-stakes summit aimed at addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting marks their first encounter in six years and has garnered significant international attention due to its potential impact on the protracted conflict.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump has positioned himself as a "peacemaker" and is focused on brokering a ceasefire in the war that has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The summit is being closely monitored globally, given the broader security implications, including North Korea's support for Russia through arms transfers and troop deployments.
Upon arrival, Trump welcomed Putin with a smile, handshake, and a brief exchange of pleasantries on the tarmac. The leaders then posed for a photo before entering the U.S. presidential limousine for further discussions. Despite questions about Trump's role as a neutral intermediary or an ally to Ukraine and Europe, Putin did not respond to inquiries regarding his willingness to agree to a ceasefire.
The meeting, initially expected to be "one-on-one," proceeded with additional representatives. Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was joined by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Foreign Affairs Aide Yuri Ushakov.
When asked about the criteria for a successful summit, Trump emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire. "I want certain things. I want to see a ceasefire," he told reporters en route to Alaska, as reported by a White House pool report. He clarified that while Europe would be involved in the process, his decisions were not influenced by European directives. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the prospect of leaving without a ceasefire agreement, stating, "I want the killing to stop. I'm in this to stop the killing."
Prior to the summit, Putin had briefed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about the upcoming meeting during a phone call, underscoring the continued military and diplomatic cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang as part of their "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty established last year.