Trump Expresses Optimism for Peace Ahead of Meeting with Putin

As President Trump prepares for a pivotal meeting with President Putin in Alaska, he expresses optimism about the potential for peace between Russia and Ukraine. He believes both Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky are ready to negotiate. Trump aims to save lives and halt the ongoing conflict, which he attributes to the current administration. Following the Alaska talks, he plans to meet with Zelensky, possibly alongside European leaders, emphasizing the importance of these discussions. Trump also hints at the possibility of restoring normal trade relations between the US and Russia, should Putin shift focus from war to business. This meeting could be a turning point in international relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 15, 2025, 07:01 IST

Trump's Confidence in Peace Talks

As he prepares for his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, US President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that both leaders are inclined towards peace. This significant meeting is scheduled for August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Trump stated to the press, "I believe President Putin will pursue peace, and so will President Zelensky."

When questioned about the possibility of the US offering Putin access to rare minerals as a means to encourage an end to the conflict, Trump responded, "We will see what unfolds during our meeting. It’s a crucial discussion for both Russia and us, and ultimately, it’s about saving lives."

He emphasized, "My primary goal is to prevent the loss of thousands of soldiers each week."

Following the discussions in Alaska, Trump intends to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, potentially alongside European leaders. He remarked that this subsequent meeting might hold even greater significance than the initial one. "We have our meeting with President Putin tomorrow, which I anticipate will be productive, but the second meeting with President Zelensky and possibly some European leaders could be even more critical," he noted.

Trump reiterated his belief that both Putin and Zelensky could reach an understanding, stating, "We will see how they interact. If they can find common ground, it would be a positive outcome."

Referring to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as "Biden's war," Trump asserted, "This situation would not have arisen during my presidency. Under my administration, this war would have been avoided, but now countless lives have been lost."

He added, "I am here for one purpose: to explore solutions. This is Biden's war, not mine. I aim to halt the violence." Trump previously mentioned that he would gauge the potential for an agreement within the first two minutes of their meeting and expressed hope for the resumption of normal trade relations between the US and Russia.

When asked about the future of trade between the two nations, Trump replied, "I believe it is possible. Russia possesses valuable resources. If Putin shifts his focus from warfare to business, it could lead to positive developments. A friend once remarked that Russia is formidable because they persistently engage in conflicts."

He concluded, "During my meeting with Vladimir Putin, I expect to ascertain within the first two minutes whether a deal is feasible."