Anchorage, Aug 15 (UNI) US President Donald Trump today said he will raise the issue of territories with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Alaska summit, but stressed that the final decision rests with Kyiv.
“They will be discussed, but I have to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they will make a proper decision. I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I’m here to get them at a table,” Trump told reporters, reports The Guardian.
The meeting, set for Friday in Anchorage, Alaska, marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House, amid heightened efforts to de-escalate the war which is now into its third year.
On Thursday, Trump suggested that the summit could pave the way for a second, more decisive round of talks – possibly including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – but admitted there is a “25% chance” it will not be successful.
“This meeting sets up the second meeting. The second meeting is going to be very, very important, because that’s going to be a meeting where they make a deal,” he said, likening the process to “a chess game.”
Zelensky, however, has been unequivocal, declaring that Ukraine “will not give land to the occupier” and warning that abandoning the Donbas region would embolden Moscow to “start a third war.”
Western officials say a proposal from Putin to halt the conflict would involve substantial territorial concessions from Kyiv — an idea firmly rejected in public by the Ukrainian leadership.
Trump described Putin as “a smart guy” with whom he shares “a good respect level,” noting that the Russian leader is bringing business figures to the talks. He suggested Moscow is now interested in the US economy, claiming this was not the case “a year ago with the Biden economy.”
Regarding the financial aspect of the meeting, Trump said “I noticed he’s bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that’s good. I like that because they want to do business, but they’re not doing business until we get the war stopped.”
On continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine, Trump says he thinks Putin “is trying to set a stage” and “in his mind that helps him make a better deal.”
The White House said that the Alaska summit will include a one-on-one meeting, a bilateral lunch with both delegations, and a joint press conference.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier said, that President Trump would “exhaust all options” to end the war, favouring diplomacy and negotiation, while keeping sanctions and “many other measures” available if needed.
The US President confirmed this claim, warning of strong economic measures against Russia should there be no progress.
“Economically severe. It will be very severe. I’m not doing this for my health, okay, I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country, but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives.”
On security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump said these could be provided jointly with Europe and other countries, but ruled out NATO membership. He also signalled readiness to discuss business cooperation with Russia if progress is made on Ukraine.
