Trump-Putin Summit Aims to Gauge Prospects for Ukraine Peace, No Immediate Deals Expected

The White House has clarified that the upcoming meeting between former President Donald TRUMP and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not yield immediate results such as a Ukraine ceasefire or trade agreements. Instead, the encounter is designed to allow Trump to assess Putin's intentions firsthand and determine whether a viable path exists to end the war in Ukraine.

Administration officials describe the approach as "trusting Trump’s instincts," noting his past criticisms of Putin’s negotiating tactics. The Kremlin has submitted a written proposal—viewed skeptically by U.S. officials—but the mere act of putting ideas on paper suggests potential openings. A follow-up three-way discussion involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains a tentative possibility.

Trump agreed to the Alaska meeting after special envoy Steve Witkoff conveyed Putin’s request, interpreting the overture as worthy of exploration. While details of Russia’s plan remain undisclosed, NATO’s Mark Rutte has referenced discussions about territorial concessions—a nonstarter for Kyiv. The former president’s willingness to engage without preconditions underscores his confidence in rapid intuition; he claims to need just "two minutes" to judge Putin’s sincerity.