Trump Hints at Possible Summit Failure, Eyes Three-Way Talks with Zelensky and Putin

Donald Trump warned his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin could fail, insisting Ukraine must join any peace talks. He hinted at a follow-up meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky to finalise terms. European allies remain concerned the U.S.-Russia meeting might pressure Kyiv into concessions without its direct involvement.

On the eve of his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled that the high-profile meeting could fail, stressing that any final deal on Ukraine would require direct involvement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he would know within minutes whether the talks would be productive, estimating a one-in-four chance of failure.

The Alaska summit, scheduled for Friday evening local time at Elmendorf Air Force Base, will mark Putin’s first visit to a Western nation since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin officials confirmed the meeting will be held in a one-on-one format with interpreters present. The war, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands and strained diplomatic ties across Europe.

Zelensky, who was not invited to the Alaska talks, has criticised the meeting as a concession to Moscow and rejected any suggestion of territorial surrender. Trump has floated the possibility of meeting Zelensky immediately after the summit, framing the second encounter as “very important” for making a broader peace deal, while cautiously referring to “divvying things up” between the parties.

European allies have voiced concerns that the U.S.-Russia discussions could lead to a settlement imposed on Ukraine without Kyiv’s consent. Trump, however, has insisted he will not be pressured by Putin and reaffirmed that Ukraine must be part of any final agreement.

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While prisoner exchanges remain one of the few diplomatic successes since the invasion, broader negotiations on ending the war have so far stalled. The outcome of Friday’s meeting could set the tone for future talks, including a possible three-way summit involving Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.