Picture Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has signalled a potential breakthrough in the Ukraine conflict, suggesting a meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin and possibly Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. European leaders may also join the talks, though their participation remains uncertain.
Speaking from the Oval Office ahead of his Friday meeting with Putin, Trump expressed cautious optimism.
“We’re going to have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelensky, myself, and maybe some European leaders,” he said, highlighting his hope that both leaders are ready to pursue peace after more than two years of war.
Trump admitted that achieving peace has proven more complex than anticipated.
“I thought the easiest one would be this. It’s the most difficult,” he commented, emphasising the unpredictable nature of negotiations.
The US President stressed that the summit’s main goal is simply bringing Putin and Zelensky together for dialogue, rather than guaranteeing immediate agreements.
Security & Timing Considerations
The US will host the summit on a secure military base in Alaska, reflecting the high-security requirements and keeping the planned discussions brief, scheduled to last only a few hours.
This marks the first meeting between Trump and Putin in six years, aligning with the former’s campaign pledge to act as a global peacemaker and broker a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky strongly objected to the exclusion from the talks, warning that any decisions made without Kyiv’s participation would lack meaning.
Trump, however, assured Zelensky that he would receive briefings on the outcomes and announced plans to organise a future three-way meeting.
Zelensky also rejected any notion of ceding the Donbas region to Russia, warning that concessions could provoke further aggression.
“Our territories are illegally occupied. For the Russians, the Donbas is a bridgehead for a future offensive,” he said, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
European leaders, excluded from the initial Alaska discussions, remain cautiously optimistic.
Following a recent call with Trump, they expressed hope that the US President would represent their interests in fostering peace. Europe now finds itself balancing relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, navigating the delicate dynamics of diplomacy amid ongoing conflict.
While the Alaska summit is a preliminary step, Trump’s efforts signal a renewed attempt to mediate in Ukraine, leveraging his rapport with Putin.
The world will watch closely to see whether this high-stakes meeting can achieve tangible progress or merely serve as a symbolic gesture in a conflict that has tested international diplomacy for over two years.
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
