U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will know “within the first two minutes” of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin whether a deal can be struck to end the war in Ukraine. The high-stakes talks are set to take place on Friday in Alaska, marking the first direct meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to the presidency.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump expressed cautious optimism but left room for doubt. “I think it’ll be good, but it might be bad,” he said, adding that his primary aim was to secure a ceasefire “very quickly.”
Plans for Direct Putin–Zelenskyy Talks
Trump also revealed his intention to eventually bring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin together for direct negotiations.
“Ultimately, I’m going to put the two of them in the room. I’ll be there or I won’t be there. And I think it’ll get solved,” he said.
So far, Putin has rejected similar proposals for face-to-face talks with Zelenskyy, a stance that has stalled past diplomatic efforts.
Trade Relations on the Table
The U.S. leader indicated that if Friday’s meeting goes well, there could be room to normalize trade ties between Washington and Moscow a move that would mark a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations.
“It’s possible,” Trump said when asked about easing trade restrictions. “We’ll see what happens.”
Europe Pushes for Inclusion
Neither Ukraine nor European leaders have been invited to the Alaska summit, a decision that has raised concerns among U.S. allies. On Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Trump to attend an emergency virtual meeting with European leaders and Zelenskyy this Wednesday. The goal is to urge Trump to prioritize Ukrainian security interests during his discussions with Putin.
“We cannot afford for Ukraine to be sidelined in any major diplomatic agreement,” Merz said in a televised statement. “President Trump has a unique opportunity and responsibility to ensure Ukraine’s voice is heard.”
A Critical Moment in the War
The war in Ukraine, now in its third year, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. A potential breakthrough between Washington and Moscow could reshape the geopolitical landscape, but experts caution that a swift resolution remains unlikely.
“Two minutes is not a lot of time to decide the fate of a conflict this complex,” said political analyst Karen Mitchell. “Still, Trump is signaling he wants fast results and that in itself is a significant development.”
With just days to go before the Alaska summit, the world will be watching closely to see whether Trump’s confidence translates into tangible progress. If his plan to unite Putin and Zelenskyy materializes, it could open the door to historic negotiations or deepen the divide between the warring sides.
As one senior White House aide put it, “This meeting could be the start of something big, or just another missed opportunity.”
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