Trump Proposes Triangular Talks with Putin and Zelensky After Alaska Summit

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to hold a second meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly after the Alaska summit scheduled for Friday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to participate this time.

Trump is set to meet Putin in Anchorage, marking their first encounter as President and sitting U.S. leader since 2021.

«If the initial meeting goes well, we’ll arrange a quick follow-up,» he told the press.

«I’d like to do it almost right away, and if they’re open to it, we can have a brief meeting involving President Putin, President Zelensky, and myself.»

These crucial discussions come as Trump aims to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly three and a half years. Zelensky, along with his European allies, has urged Trump to advocate for a ceasefire.

Concerns have risen due to a recent surge in Russian military actions and the fact that Zelensky has not been invited to the Anchorage meeting, leading to fears that Trump and Putin may reach an agreement that imposes difficult concessions on Ukraine.

Trump warned that Russia would incur «very severe consequences» if Putin does not agree to conclude the war following their meeting, although he did not provide specifics.

Throughout his 2024 election campaign, Trump pledged multiple times to end the conflict on his first day in office, yet he has made limited progress toward achieving a peace agreement.

He also warned of «secondary sanctions» targeting Russia’s trade partners due to its invasion of Ukraine, but the timeline he set for action passed last week without any announced measures.

While taking questions from reporters at an event at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump mentioned that he had a «very good call» with European leaders, including Zelensky.

«I’d rate it a 10. It was very, very friendly,» he stated.