Trump, Putin land in Alaska for high-stakes summit
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived, on Friday, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for the high-stakes summit.
The White House confirmed that what was initially planned as a one-on-one meeting will now include advisers from both sides. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for the bilateral talks, followed by a working lunch attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Earlier today, Trump warned that he would walk out of the summit if it failed to achieve tangible results. Speaking to Fox News, he said, 'I think it's going to work out very well, and if it doesn't, I'm going to head back home real fast.' Later aboard Air Force One, Trump added, 'I want to see a ceasefire rapidly… I'm not going to be happy if it's not today. I want the killing to stop.'
He stressed that his goal is to 'save lives' but ruled out negotiating on Ukraine's behalf or offering US security guarantees, warning of 'punishing' consequences for Russia if the war continues.
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced hope that the talks could pave the way for a US–Russia–Ukraine format, while acknowledging 'low expectations' due to ongoing Russian strikes.
'Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war,' he said, urging a 'strong American position' and asserting that 'the Russians respect strength — strength alone.'
According to CNN, Alaska was chosen after Russia rejected European venues because of the ICC arrest warrant for Putin. The White House dismissed his proposal of the UAE, leaving Hungary and US soil as options. Washington was reportedly surprised when Moscow accepted the US location. To facilitate the summit, the US Treasury temporarily lifted certain sanctions until August 20, allowing Putin and sanctioned aides to enter the country.
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