The White House has tempered expectations for a significant outcome from Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. They’ve referred to the discussions about the war in Ukraine as “listening sessions” and “feelout meetings.”
Both Trump and officials from his administration have indicated that this summit in Alaska won’t bring an end to the ongoing conflict that started in 2022 with the Russian invasion.
There’s been a noticeable lack of predictions about what might come from the meeting, with acknowledgment that a subsequent summit involving both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be essential for genuine progress toward a ceasefire.
“There’s a very good chance that the second meeting will be more productive than the first,” Trump mentioned on Wednesday. “Initially, we’re going to assess where we stand.”
The White House has so far refrained from making firm commitments about outcomes from the Anchorage gathering, with details still being finalized. The president himself has sent mixed signals regarding expectations for the event.
Reporter Caroline Leavitt noted that Trump is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Putin at Elmendorf Richardson’s joint base, though logistical details were still being arranged as the summit nears.
“This is a listening exercise for this president,” Leavitt explained to reporters on Tuesday. “There are only parties in this conflict. This will give us a clearer understanding of what can be done to end the war.”
Trump’s role in the meeting remains somewhat unpredictable.
He has been cautious not to set high expectations, telling reporters earlier that discussions with Putin could result in various outcomes, “good, bad, but it could be bad.”
On Wednesday, Trump warned of “serious consequences” if Russia continues hostilities after the summit, yet he admitted moments later that it’s unlikely Putin will stop targeting Ukrainian civilians.
He expressed a desire to arrange a second meeting that includes both Putin and Zelensky quickly.
“If the first one goes well, I’d like to do it right away,” Trump said, but added, “There may not be a second meeting.”
Some critics argue that by hosting a meeting on U.S. soil without Ukrainian leadership, Trump is giving Putin a symbolic win.
European allies have approached the upcoming summit with caution, acknowledging Trump’s efforts while preparing for potential deviations from planned discussions. Trump has suggested that Ukraine may need to surrender some territory to Russia as part of any peace agreement.
“Pressure on Russia is essential. Peace has no alternatives. There’s a definite outcome we can achieve together,” Zelensky stated after a call with Trump and European leaders on Wednesday.
Trump mentioned his intention to contact Zelensky and European leaders following his meeting with Putin on Friday.
The president and his supporters believe that engaging with other countries isn’t inherently detrimental. They contend that Trump will adopt a distinctive approach to diplomacy.
“People need to understand that for President Trump, meetings are not a concession,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told radio host Sid Rosenberg.
“If you look at some of the news… these folks are overreacting. What a victory for Putin! He gets a meeting. But he doesn’t see it that way,” Rubio added. “Meeting is essential for understanding what’s happening and making informed decisions. I want to gather all the facts, and that’s what the president aims to do.”
