U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday his goal in upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin is to secure an “immediate peace deal” to end the Russia-Ukraine war, rather than focus first on a ceasefire.
Speaking to Fox Radio ahead of Friday’s Alaska summit, Trump said, “I don’t know that we’re going to get an immediate ceasefire, but I think it’s going to come. I’m more interested in an immediate peace deal, getting peace fast.”
He suggested a possible follow-up meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy depending on the outcome, noting Alaska could remain a venue but declining to name other options. Trump did not confirm whether Zelenskyy had been asked to be “ready to come,” saying only it would be “certainly convenient” if the talks with Putin went well.
Trump stressed his role as facilitator, not negotiator. “I’m going to let them negotiate their deal. I’m not going to negotiate their deal,” he said.
The Alaska meeting will focus on ending the war, now in its fourth year.
