WASHINGTON, United States (US): US President Donald Trump is en route to a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Trump left the White House early Friday morning (US Time) and then boarded Air Force One, as seen on television, reported German news agency dpa.
According to the US government’s schedule, Trump will land in Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska, at 11:00 am (1900 GMT) on Friday (US Time).
The meeting will mark his first in-person talks with Putin since beginning his second term in office, with discussions set to focus primarily on Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Travelling with Trump are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Before departing, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform simply: “HIGH STAKES!!!”
The talks could produce momentum toward ending the war, although it remains unclear how much can realistically be achieved.
Ukraine will not be represented in Anchorage.
European allies of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fear Trump and Putin could agree on territorial concessions to Russia without Kiev’s involvement.
In reality, Trump cannot make any binding commitments to Putin without Ukraine’s consent.
Washington cannot dictate a ceasefire to the Ukrainian military or order it to withdraw from its own territory, especially since any territorial concession would require changes to Ukraine’s Constitution.
However, Trump does hold considerable leverage: in addition to weapons deliveries, he could also halt the provision of satellite data or US intelligence – resources that are virtually irreplaceable for Ukraine in the war. – BERNAMA-dpa
