US President Donald Trump said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and that the threat of sanctions may have influenced Moscow’s decision to seek talks. Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday.
Speaking on Fox News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” Trump said he is not sure if an immediate ceasefire can be achieved, but expressed hope for progress toward peace. “I believe now, he’s convinced that he’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to, and we’re going to find out,” he said.
Putin earlier praised the United States for making “sincere efforts” to end the conflict and suggested both nations could agree on a nuclear arms deal as part of a broader peace initiative.
Trump said he has three possible locations in mind for a follow-up meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with Alaska being the easiest option. He said a second meeting could focus on boundary issues, though Zelenskiy has been clear about not ceding territory occupied by Russian forces. “There will be a give and take as to boundaries, lands, etc. This meeting sets up like a chess game,” Trump said, adding that there is a 25% chance the first meeting might not succeed.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump’s main goal in the Alaska talks is to achieve a halt in fighting, though a full resolution will take longer. Rubio stressed that peace would require discussions on security guarantees, territorial disputes, and other core issues. “The longer wars go on, the harder they are to end,” he said, adding that a ceasefire is critical to starting serious negotiations.
Preparations for the meeting have moved quickly, with Trump reportedly speaking to Putin by phone four times before deciding to meet face-to-face. Rubio said the president wants to “look him in the eye” to see what is possible, and that it will become clear early in the meeting whether a breakthrough can be achieved.
