LONDON Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s “energetic and sincere” efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion. The praise came as both leaders prepared for a high-stakes U.S.–Russia summit set for Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.
In a Kremlin-released video following a strategy session with senior officials, Putin said Washington was working actively to halt hostilities and secure agreements “in the interest of all parties.” He also signaled that lasting peace between the two nations — and broader stability in Europe and the world — could be achieved under a U.S.–Russia deal on nuclear arms control.
Trump, speaking in Washington, pegged the odds of failure at 25% but left open the possibility of extending his stay in Alaska for further talks — and even inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a follow-up, three-way meeting. In a Fox News radio interview, he suggested the summit could set the stage for a broader diplomatic breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy and European leaders scrambled to ensure their interests would not be sidelined. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy to London for a show of solidarity ahead of Friday’s meeting. A day earlier, Zelenskyy joined Trump and other European leaders in virtual talks, where Trump reportedly assured them that securing a Ukraine ceasefire would be his top priority with Putin.
Despite positive signals, European capitals remain wary. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron described their meeting with Trump as constructive, yet doubts linger over whether the U.S. leader — whose stance toward both Kyiv and Moscow has shifted since returning to office — will protect Europe’s security interests. The Kremlin has tempered expectations, stressing there are no plans to sign documents and warning against premature predictions.
Starmer underscored that any agreement must preserve Ukraine’s territorial integrity, warning that Western allies must be ready to ramp up pressure if Russia refuses. Macron said Trump had clarified that NATO would not be part of future security guarantees, but the United States and “all parties involved” should participate.
Inside Ukraine, skepticism runs deep. Many citizens doubt this round of diplomacy will yield real progress after years of fruitless talks. While some advocate holding firm on borders, others say saving soldiers’ lives should take precedence — even if it means ceding territory.
On the battlefield, both sides exchanged prisoners Thursday, each releasing 84 people, some held since as far back as 2014. But violence persisted: Russian missile strikes injured civilians in Ukraine’s Sumy region, including a 7-year-old girl, while Ukrainian drone attacks damaged apartment blocks in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, wounding 13.
The summit, set to begin at 11:30 a.m. local time Friday, will start with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin, followed by delegation talks and a working breakfast. While Moscow has confirmed a joint press conference, Trump says that decision is still up in the air — a fitting reflection of how much about this pivotal encounter remains uncertain.
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