World Desk

As U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for a high-stakes summit in Alaska on Friday, Putin has praised Trump’s “sincere and energetic” efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine—more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

In a Kremlin-released video after meeting with Russian officials, Putin said the Trump administration was actively working to halt the conflict and reach a resolution beneficial to all sides. He also expressed hope for broader peace agreements, including potential nuclear arms control deals, that could stabilize relations between Russia, the U.S., and Europe.

Trump, speaking from Washington, acknowledged there was a 25% chance the summit could fail. Still, he suggested that if talks go well, he might invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska for a follow-up, three-way meeting. In a Fox News interview, Trump hinted he could extend his stay in Alaska depending on the outcome with Putin.

European Allies on Edge

As preparations for the summit ramped up, Zelenskyy visited London for talks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The meeting was a public show of support from Britain and followed a virtual conference between Trump and European leaders the previous day, where Trump pledged to prioritize a Ukraine ceasefire in talks with Putin.

Despite reassurances, European leaders remain concerned. Trump has shifted his tone toward both Zelenskyy and Putin since returning to office, raising fears that Friday’s one-on-one U.S.-Russia meeting could sideline Ukraine and Europe. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron called the earlier video call constructive but voiced uncertainty over the negotiations’ direction.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down expectations, saying no formal agreements would be signed and warning against predicting the summit's outcome. The Kremlin confirmed the meeting would start at 11:30 a.m. local time, with private talks followed by expanded discussions and a working breakfast. A joint press conference was scheduled, though Trump later said no final decision had been made about addressing the media—highlighting the summit's still-fluid plans.

Concerns Over Ukraine’s Future

Prime Minister Starmer suggested the summit could open a path to a ceasefire, but warned that any deal must preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He emphasized that international borders should not be redrawn through violence.

Ukraine and its Western allies continue to insist that long-term peace must include security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. While countries like France and the U.K. support this idea, they’ve been hesitant to commit military forces. Macron said Trump told leaders that although NATO would not be involved in these guarantees, other nations—including the U.S.—should participate. However, Trump did not mention any such pledges publicly.

Mixed Feelings Among Ukrainians

Back in Ukraine, reactions to the upcoming summit were cautious at best. Oleksandra Kozlova, a 39-year-old from Kyiv, said many Ukrainians have grown disillusioned after years of broken promises and failed negotiations. “I don’t think this round will change much,” she said.

Anton Vyshniak, a car dealer, echoed those sentiments, suggesting that protecting Ukrainian soldiers should now be the priority—even if it means giving up some territory. “Human lives are more valuable than borders,” he said.

Ongoing Conflict and Prisoner Swap

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced that 84 Ukrainians—both civilians and soldiers—were freed from Russian captivity, some having been held since as early as 2014. Russia confirmed it had also received 84 prisoners in return.

On the battlefield, the violence continued. Russian missile strikes in Ukraine’s Sumy region injured several people, including a 7-year-old girl. In southern Russia, a Ukrainian drone hit apartment buildings in Rostov-on-Don, wounding 13 civilians—two of them critically.