U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin landed at the Elmendorf–Richardson military base in Alaska for a long-anticipated summit that could prove decisive for the future of the war in Ukraine. For Putin, this is his first visit to Western soil since February 2022, when he ordered the full-scale invasion that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction in Ukraine.

The two shook hands on the red carpet.

Both leaders had expressed hope for a productive discussion. Trump warned the meeting could be cut short after only a few minutes if Putin showed no willingness to compromise, while the Kremlin insisted the talks would last at least six to seven hours.

Tensions are high – in recent days, Russia has made battlefield gains that could strengthen Putin’s position in potential ceasefire negotiations, although Kyiv announced it had recaptured several settlements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the meeting, stressed that he would not cede territory under pressure. “It’s time to end the war, and Russia must take the necessary steps. We are counting on America,” he wrote on social media.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump sounded optimistic: “There’s a good level of mutual respect, and I think something will come out of this.” He emphasized, however, that the visit was an “exploratory meeting” and that he was not there to negotiate, but to bring the Russian and Ukrainian presidents “to the same table.” The White House unexpectedly announced that instead of a planned one-on-one, Trump would be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

From the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declined to make any predictions: “We never make forecasts in advance. Russia’s position is clear and unequivocal.”

Every word and gesture of the two leaders in Alaska will be closely watched by European capitals and Kyiv, as they may determine the first step toward a potential ceasefire. | BGNES