What to know concerning the Trump-Putin summit at present in Alaska : NPR

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Evan Vucci/AP ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Trump is assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska at present, a momentous summit on American soil with a pacesetter remoted by the West over the invasion of Ukraine.

Trump, who pledged a fast finish to the struggle in Ukraine throughout his 2024 marketing campaign, projected confidence forward of the Anchorage summit — however remained imprecise about potential outcomes.

"Due to a sure relationship that he has with me, working this nation … I imagine now he is satisfied that he'll make a deal," Trump informed Fox Information Radio's Brian Kilmeade on Thursday. "He'll make a deal."

The 2 leaders are anticipated to satisfy in Anchorage beginning at 11 a.m. Alaska Time (3 p.m. ET).

Trump has been casting this assembly as a prelude for a possible second assembly that would come with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Thursday, he stated he had three potential places in thoughts, together with Alaska.

"The extra essential assembly would be the second assembly that we're having: We'll have a gathering with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, myself, and possibly we'll carry a few of the European leaders on. Perhaps not," he stated on Thursday.

European leaders who've backed Ukraine in its combat in opposition to Russia spoke with Trump on Wednesday, saying Putin should comply with a ceasefire and safety ensures for Ukraine earlier than any peace talks start.

Trump and Putin will maintain their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that they'd maintain a joint press convention on the finish of the summit.

Trump has expressed frustration that Putin was "simply tapping me alongside" after conversations the place Putin indicated he needed peace in Ukraine had been adopted by strikes on civilian targets. Trump has given few particulars about why these talks can be totally different, although he did say this week that there can be "extreme penalties" for Russia if it didn't cease its struggle, with out elaborating.

Trump has talked about the potential of a "land swap" between Russia and Ukraine, however Zelenskyy has strongly opposed ceding territory, noting that doing so would violate his nation's structure.