A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin commenced Friday in Alaska, bringing the two leaders together for direct talks.
During his flight to the meeting location, President Trump indicated a strong desire for a swift cessation of hostilities, stating he intends to pursue a ceasefire despite prevailing assessments suggesting its immediate attainment is unlikely. “I really want the killing to stop” he told reporters.
The US President also characterized President Putin as a “smart guy” while asserting his own negotiating acumen. He expressed optimism regarding the presence of a Russian business delegation, noting, “I like that, they want to do business with us, but that can only happen when the war is over.
According to a Kremlin statement, President Trump met President Putin immediately upon the Russian leader’s arrival at the airport, with discussions anticipated to last up to seven hours.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not invited to participate in the summit, conveyed Ukraine’s continued reliance on the United States, while also stating that there are currently no indications suggesting Russia is preparing for a de-escalation or end to the conflict.
