U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have begun face-to-face talks in Alaska in a high-stakes summit that could shape the future of the Russia-Ukraine war and European security.
Trump’s allies portray him as a skilled negotiator capable of bringing the bloody conflict to a swift end. He has warned that “very severe consequences” could follow if Putin does not agree to stop the war after the summit.
For Putin, the meeting presents a long-sought opportunity to negotiate a deal that could solidify Russia’s territorial gains, block Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, and eventually pull Kyiv back into Moscow’s sphere of influence.
However, the summit carries significant risks for Trump. By bringing Putin to U.S. soil, he grants the Russian leader a level of international validation that he has been denied since invading Ukraine three and a half years ago. Moreover, a successful outcome is far from certain, as Russia and Ukraine remain deeply divided on the terms of peace.
There is no official confirmation yet on how long the talks will last, though such high-level meetings typically continue for several hours and may extend depending on the complexity of the discussions.
