What to Expect from the Upcoming Trump-Putin Summit: Insights and Concerns
Key Developments Ahead of the Summit
London: On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commended US President Donald Trump for his attempts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began over three years ago. This statement comes as both leaders gear up for a significant summit in Alaska scheduled for Friday.
During a video message released by the Kremlin, Putin remarked that the Trump administration has been making 'energetic and sincere efforts' to halt the fighting and to forge agreements beneficial to all parties involved.
He also indicated that a potential agreement on nuclear arms control could pave the way for lasting peace between the US and Russia, as well as in Europe and globally.
In the meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with other European leaders, is working to ensure their concerns are addressed during the Trump-Putin discussions in Anchorage.
European Leaders Express Concerns
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy to London on Thursday, demonstrating British support for Ukraine just a day before the crucial summit. The two leaders shared a warm embrace outside Starmer's office at 10 Downing Street, although they did not make any statements.
Zelenskyy's visit to London followed his participation in virtual discussions from Berlin with Trump and several European leaders. During these talks, Trump assured them that achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine would be a priority during his meeting with Putin.
After the meetings, Trump warned of 'very severe consequences' for Russia if Putin does not agree to cease hostilities in Ukraine following their discussions.
Despite some European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, praising the constructive nature of Wednesday's video conference with Trump, uncertainty lingers regarding how the US leader will approach negotiations without the involvement of other interested parties.
Concerns Over Ukraine's Future
Both Zelenskyy and European leaders are apprehensive that the upcoming US-Russia summit may overlook their interests, potentially favoring Moscow and jeopardizing Ukraine and Europe's security.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has tempered expectations for significant outcomes from the summit, stating that no agreements are anticipated and cautioning against predicting the negotiations' results.
The meeting between Trump and Putin is set to commence at 11:30 am local time, with plans for a one-on-one discussion followed by talks with their respective delegations and a working breakfast, culminating in a joint news conference.
Starmer emphasized that the Alaska summit could lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine but also hinted at European fears that Trump might negotiate a deal that requires Ukraine to relinquish territory to Russia. He stressed that Western allies must be ready to increase pressure on Russia if necessary.
Ukrainians Remain Skeptical
As another high-stakes meeting approaches, some Ukrainians are expressing doubts about the summit's potential for meaningful outcomes. Oleksandra Kozlova, a 39-year-old digital agency employee in Kyiv, shared her belief that many Ukrainians have 'lost hope' for significant progress in ending the war.
'I don't think this round will be decisive,' she stated, reflecting on past meetings that promised resolutions but ultimately did not yield results.
Anton Vyshniak, a car salesman in Kyiv, emphasized that the priority should be preserving the lives of military personnel, even if it means making territorial concessions.
'At this moment, saving the lives of our soldiers is paramount,' he remarked. 'Borders are important, but human lives are invaluable.'
Recent Developments in Ukraine
On Thursday, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had successfully negotiated the release of 84 individuals from Russian captivity, including both soldiers and civilians. These individuals had been held since 2014, 2016, and 2017, including defenders from the now-occupied city of Mariupol.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that it had also received 84 soldiers in a prisoner exchange.
In other news, Russian strikes in Ukraine's Sumy region resulted in multiple injuries, with a missile hitting a village and wounding a 7-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man, according to regional officials. The girl is currently hospitalized in stable condition.
Conversely, a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly damaged several apartment buildings in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, injuring 13 civilians, as stated by the region's acting governor.