'He won't mess around with me': Trump prepares to meet Putin for high-stakes Ukraine talks
The world's eyes are on Alaska, the setting for the high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Discussions will centre on the war in Ukraine, but notably missing is the nation at war with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited, and European leaders have been clear that discussions of peace with Ukraine should not take place without Ukraine.
The sit-down offers Trump another chance to show the world that he is a global peacemaker, ending wars across the globe since his second term began.
For Putin, the summit allows him the opportunity to attempt to legitimise Russia's territorial gains from Ukraine, among other goals like blocking Kyiv's bid to join NATO.
Trump spoke of the summit with Putin as a precursor to a subsequent meeting that includes Zelenskyy, suggesting this could happen before he departs Alaska - a possibility Russia has not agreed to.
Trump said that even more important than his summit with Putin would be a subsequent meeting that also includes Zelenskyy, something he suggested could even happen before he departs Alaska — a possibility that Russia hasn't agreed to.
It will be the first time Putin has set foot on US soil in almost a decade, highlighting the chasm between Putin's relationship with Trump and the previous US administration.
The two Presidents will sit down for a one-on-one discussion first, followed by two delegation meetings and talks continuing over "a working breakfast". They are then expected to hold a joint press conference.
Many are pessimistic about the summit's possible success. Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace, and Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire.
Trump does not share the same outlook, telling reporters on Thursday that he believes peace is possible, but only because of his own diplomacy and stature.
"I think President Putin will make peace. I think President Zelenskyy will make peace. We'll see if they can get along. And if they can, it'll be great."
"I think if I weren't president, he would take over all of Ukraine. It's a war that should have never happened. If I weren't president, in my opinion, he would much rather take off, take over all of Ukraine.
"But I am President, and he's not going to mess around with me."
Trump's repeated suggestions that a deal would likely involve "some swapping of territories" has disappointed Ukraine and European allies however, and cast doubt on whether an agreement can be reached, and whether it would be in Ukraine's best interests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion.
Following a meeting Thursday with top government officials on the summit, Putin said in a short video released by the Kremlin that the Trump administration was making 'quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities' and to 'reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved.'
Putin also suggested that 'long-term conditions of peace between our countries, and in Europe, and in the world as a whole,' could be reached under an agreement with the US on nuclear arms control.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine is fighting for the same values as the Allies did in the Second World War, as Zelenskyy visited Downing Street ahead of the summit.
Starmer addressed a reception on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which marked the Allies' defeat of Japan.
Speaking in Downing Street, he said, "I sat on this terrace this very morning with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, who is fighting for the same values as we were fighting for. And so when we say never forget, we must pass on the stories of those who have gone before us."
It came as US President Donald Trump suggested European leaders could be invited to a second meeting if the summit is successful, which could pave the way to peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Demonstrators in Anchorage, Alaska protested against U.S. President Donald Trump meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin without the presence of Zelenskyy.
Activists organised a pro-Ukraine protest in Anchorage, a few hours before a summit on Ukraine between Trump and Putin.
"They are both malignant narcissists who have only their best interests at heart, said protester Stephanie Shaffer.
"If they truly wanted to talk what was going on in Ukraine and how to end the war, they would have included President Zelenskyy."
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