Trump and Putin set for high-stakes Alaska summit amid Ukraine tensions

Donald Trump is traveling to Alaska for high-stakes talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, marking their first one-on-one meeting in six years. Posting “HIGH STAKES!!!” on Truth Social, the U.S. president has amplified expectations and a sense of drama, according to correspondents. Russia’s foreign minister insists Moscow’s stance remains “clear and unambiguous,” while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky—excluded from the talks—has warned that any decisions made without him will be meaningless. We discuss the implications with former White House Director of European Affairs Anthony Gardner.