US and Russian officials are gathering in Alaska ahead of a much-anticipated Friday meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
It will be their first meeting in six years. Trump hopes to fulfill a key campaign promise — ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Trump has cast himself as a global peacemaker. He believes his personal rapport with Putin might unlock a ceasefire where others have failed. Yet on Thursday, he admitted there was only a “25% chance” of success.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been left out of the talks. He warned that any decision made without Kyiv’s involvement would be meaningless. 
The Scene in Anchorage
In Anchorage, the mood feels calm despite the looming summit.
Tourists from the “lower 48” states mingle with international journalists who have flown in to cover the event.
The meeting will take place entirely on a US military base nearby. This ensures strict security and reflects the brevity of the session — just a few hours.
Sanctions and Deadlines
The summit comes one week after Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face tough new sanctions.
Few expected Kyiv and Moscow to settle their bloody conflict before that date.
Trump’s threat to sanction nations doing business with Russia raised fears of a trade clash with China. He also signaled new tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil.
When news broke of the Trump–Putin meeting, the sanctions clock effectively paused. Both sides gained extra time to plan their moves.
Mixed Signals from Washington
The American tone this week has swung between optimism, caution, and warning.
Trump has threatened “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to end the war. His stance seemed to harden after a call with European leaders, including Zelenskyy.
Yet Kyiv was unsettled when Trump spoke of possible “territory swaps” and the White House described the summit as a “listening exercise.”
Moscow’s Silence
Russian officials have avoided speculation. They repeatedly stress that the war will end only when Russia gains full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
They also demand that Ukraine demilitarize and never join NATO.
Trump’s Gamble
Trump believes his “deal-maker” instincts could succeed where others have failed. His team stresses the importance of meeting Putin face-to-face.
Trump has said he might know “within the first two minutes” if a deal is possible.
For Trump, the outcome could define his foreign policy legacy. His supporters expect him to end the war quickly and reduce costly foreign entanglements.
Europe and Ukraine on the Sidelines
European leaders, excluded from Friday’s talks, hope Trump will defend their interests.
Zelenskyy remains adamant: Ukraine will not surrender the Donbas. He warns that giving up territory would invite further Russian aggression.
Still, Trump has promised to brief Zelenskyy afterward and floated the idea of a quick three-way meeting in the near future.
Putin, however, has shown no sign of agreeing to meet Zelenskyy any time soon.
Unyielding Positions
Analysts note that Putin’s ultimate goal is Ukraine’s “geopolitical neutralization.”
Many find it hard to accept that he could want so much — yet his stance has not shifted.
As the Alaska summit approaches, Trump’s strategy remains in flux. Putin’s position does not.
They will share a meeting place, but finding common ground may be far more difficult.
