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Tensions rise ahead of Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he hopes for a “constructive” meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday in Alaska — a summit that has raised alarms in Ukraine and among European leaders. Trump stated he wanted to “test the waters” with his Russian counterpart, praising Putin’s decision to travel to U.S. territory.
However, his comments about potential “territory exchanges” sparked concern in Kyiv and European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that no constitutional authority allows him to cede land, as Russian forces currently occupy about 20% of Ukraine.
European Union leaders — excluding Hungary — emphasized that Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their future, while acknowledging Trump’s stated efforts to end the war. Trump is set to join a videoconference on Wednesday with leaders from several European countries, NATO, and Ukraine to discuss additional measures to pressure Russia and explore possible peace negotiations, including issues of territorial claims and security guarantees.
Friday’s meeting will be Trump’s first in-person encounter with Putin since 2019. The U.S. president suggested it could eventually lead to a direct summit between Zelensky and Putin, though he also hinted he might step away from the conflict entirely. His remarks, including a slip where he twice said the meeting would be “in Russia” instead of Alaska, added to speculation about his approach.
Meanwhile, Putin has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity ahead of the talks, speaking with leaders from China, India, and Brazil, among others. On the battlefield, Russian forces have intensified operations, claiming the capture of the Ukrainian village of Fedorivka in Donetsk. Moscow continues to demand Ukraine cede four partially occupied regions and the already annexed Crimea, halt Western arms imports, and abandon NATO membership — terms Kyiv firmly rejects.