Trump Says He’ll Know Within Minutes if Putin Peace Deal Is Possible
President Donald Trump has said he will know within the first two minutes of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin whether a peace agreement on the Ukraine conflict is achievable. The meeting, scheduled for Friday in Alaska, is expected to be the first direct engagement between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.
Trump described the upcoming summit as a “feel-out meeting,” explaining that it will be used to gauge whether meaningful negotiations can move forward. He hinted at the possibility of land swaps between Russia and Ukraine as part of a settlement—an idea that has drawn immediate rejection from Kyiv. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have repeatedly stated that ceding territory to Russia is unacceptable and would violate the country’s constitution.
European Concerns and Coordination
European leaders are closely watching the developments and have begun internal consultations to maintain a unified position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. NATO officials have stressed that any peace deal must be based on internationally recognized borders and must have Ukraine’s full consent.
Next Steps if Talks Show Promise
Trump has indicated that if his initial meeting with Putin is constructive, he will pursue a follow-up that could include both Putin and Zelenskyy in a trilateral or multilateral setting. He also suggested involving NATO and European Union leaders in the process to ensure broader international support for any agreement.
While Trump expressed optimism about the potential for dialogue, he acknowledged that the talks may not yield quick results, saying the Alaska meeting would determine whether there is even a “path forward” for future negotiations.
