Trump says no business deals with Moscow until Ukraine war ‘settled’ as the two leaders travel to Anchorage for high-stakes talks
Russia Expects Putin-Trump Summit to Deliver ‘Result’
Russia says it anticipates Friday’s high-stakes meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will conclude with a tangible “result” as the two leaders head to Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.
According to the Kremlin, the summit — set to last six to seven hours — will cover the full scope of US-Russia relations, not just the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump said economic deals with Moscow would remain off the table unless there is clear “progress” toward ending the war.
“If we make progress, I would discuss it, because that’s one of the things they would like,” Trump said, noting that Putin is bringing several Russian business leaders. “That’s good… but they’re not doing business until we get the war settled.”
Trump added he expected to talk territorial negotiations with Putin, whom he called “a smart guy,” but stressed that Ukraine should have the final say.
The meeting, held at a military base outside Anchorage, marks the first in-person encounter between the two leaders in six years.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner circle is on edge, with a Ukrainian official describing the atmosphere as “tense.” Senior aides told the Financial Times they fear being sidelined from talks that could shape the nation’s future.
White House Schedule:
- Trump is scheduled to fly back to Washington at 5.45pm local time, although the Kremlin said it expected long talks.
- A press conference is expected afterwards
- Putin and Trump are set to hold a one-on-one meeting at 11am local time (3pm ET, 8pm BST)
- They will then hold talks with delegations including five officials on each side
Zelenskyy Urges ‘Strong American Position’ Ahead of Alaska Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced hopes for a “strong American position” just hours before the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska began.
“It will all depend on this, as the Russians only heed American strength,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, recorded inside the presidential compound in central Kyiv.
Briefed by intelligence officials and diplomats on Moscow’s goals for the summit, Zelenskyy urged a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Kyiv has maintained that such a trilateral format is essential for any talks to succeed.
Europe Urged to Step Off the Sidelines in Ukraine
European leaders may be absent from the Alaska summit between Trump-Putin , but the outcome — whether a collapse in talks or a ceasefire — could reshape the continent’s security landscape.
Whatever happens in Alaska, Europe must confront a pressing question: how far it is prepared to go to ensure Ukraine’s independence endures.
Kremlin: All Aspects of US-Russia Relations on the Table
Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for economic co-operation, said the upcoming talks with Donald Trump will cover the full spectrum of US-Russia relations, not just the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to RIA Novosti, Dmitriev said the Russian delegation was “ready for action.”
Oil and gas prices dipped ahead of the summit, with the prospect of progress toward a peace deal easing fears of new sanctions on Russian crude buyers. By late afternoon in London, Brent crude, the global benchmark, was down 1%, while the Dutch TTF gas contract — a key European indicator — had fallen more than 3%.
Trump has warned that if a ceasefire proves elusive, he may impose so-called secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil.
Zelenskyy’s Inner Circle ‘Tense’ as Alaska Summit Unfolds
A Ukrainian official described the mood in Kyiv as “tense” as the Putin-Trump summit played out more than 5,000 miles away.
Senior aides to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the Financial Times they feared being sidelined from talks that could directly shape Ukraine’s future.
One official called Donald Trump’s intentions “very ambiguous,” while another noted: “He says he wants peace, but he’s unwilling to take the necessary steps to get there.”
According to Ukrainian officials, the best-case outcome would be a 60-day unconditional ceasefire — offering respite from Russian air strikes and ground assaults, and time to coordinate with Washington.
Lukashenko Seeks to Revive Relations with Washington(Trump-Putin)
Donald Trump said he had a “wonderful talk” with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has repeatedly positioned himself as a potential mediator between Moscow and Washington.
Over the past year, Lukashenko — eager to mend ties with the West — has strengthened contacts with the US administration, hosting several visits from American officials in Minsk.
However, both the EU and the US refused to recognise Belarus’s 2025 presidential election as democratic, echoing their rejection of the disputed 2020 vote.
Lukashenko Seeks to Revive Relations with Washington
Donald Trump said he had a “wonderful talk” with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has repeatedly positioned himself as a potential mediator between Moscow and Washington.
Over the past year, Lukashenko — eager to mend ties with the West — has strengthened contacts with the US administration, hosting several visits from American officials in Minsk.
However, both the EU and the US refused to recognise Belarus’s 2025 presidential election as democratic, echoing their rejection of the disputed 2020 vote.
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