New comments from President Trump aboard Air Force One on his way to Alaska for his high stakes summit with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have shed light on the purpose and expectations surrounding the meeting. President Trump emphasized that his primary goal is to bring Putin to the negotiating table rather than directly negotiate for Ukraine. He expressed confidence in preventing Putin from taking over the entirety of Ukraine, attributing this to his role as president.
Despite his optimism for reaching an agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine, a U.S. official has indicated that all options, including the possibility of President Trump walking out of the summit, remain on the table if Putin is not perceived as serious about reaching a deal.
The summit between the two leaders is scheduled to take place at a U.S. military base in Anchorage, Alaska, with a planned start time of 11:30 a.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Following the summit, both leaders are expected to hold a joint news conference.
President Trump's remarks regarding Putin's perspective on the ongoing violence in Ukraine suggest that Putin may view such actions as advantageous during negotiations, despite Trump's stance on the matter.
The comments made by President Trump provide insight into the strategic approach he intends to take during the summit and the importance of bringing Putin to the table for discussions. The stage is set for a crucial meeting between the two leaders, with the potential for significant developments in addressing the conflict in Ukraine.
