Trump says he and Putin will discuss Ukraine's future borders

President Trump said Monday that he expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to their meeting in Alaska on Friday with specific proposals for a deal to end the war, which he will then pass on to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with a recommendation to make peace or "keep fighting."Why it matters: Trump suggested he's ready to negotiate with Putin about who gets what parts of Ukraine after the war, and even said he would "try to get some... territory back for Ukraine." But Zelensky won't be in the room, and Ukrainian and European officials are worried about what Russian proposals Trump might accept.What he's saying: "I believe, he wants to get [the war] over with," Trump said of Putin. "Now, I've said that few times and I've been disappointed."The intrigue: By his own acknowledgment, Trump flipped 180 degrees after Putin's meeting last week with his envoy Steve Witkoff — pausing sanctions that were to be announced last Friday, inviting Putin to Alaska, and starting to apply public pressure on Zelensky to accept a deal.In that meeting, Putin proposed terms whereby Ukraine would cede all of its mostly-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions along with Crimea, and freeze the battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, sources familiar with the discussion told Axios. Trump suggested Monday that he was hoping to secure a somewhat better deal from Ukraine — noting that Russia was occupying some "prime territory" along the Black Sea — but he would see what "parameters" Putin proposed on Friday. He said he'd call Zelensky after the meeting with Putin. "I may say, 'lots of luck, keep fighting.' Or I may say, 'we can make a deal.'" Trump criticized Zelensky for saying he could not agree to cede territory under Ukraine's constitution, and falsely suggested Zelensky chose to start the war — veering back toward more hostile treatment of the Ukrainian president after months of apparent warming between the two.Trump cited a poll which he said showed that 88% of Ukrainians now wanted a peace deal as soon as possible. The true number is 69%, according to Gallup — still a dramatic increase.The other side: The Ukrainians are pushing for an immediate ceasefire, to be followed only then by peace negotiations, an idea Trump himself proposed but Putin has repeatedly rejected in the past.Vice President Vance met with Ukrainian and European officials for several hours in the U.K. on Saturday. Ukraine and its European backers had sought the meeting to try to coordinate positions ahead of the Trump-Putin summit.Ukrainian officials insist they also want to end the war, if Putin agrees to a ceasefire and a "just peace" can be agreed. Reality check: Putin and Zelensky still appear to be far apart in their definitions of a just peace, considering Zelensky would have to sign away large swathes of Ukrainian territory, while Putin currently has the upper hand militarily and may believe he can achieve more by force.What to watch: Trump said during a press conference on Monday it was "very respectful" of Putin to agree to come to the U.S. rather than meeting in a third country, though he also misspoke twice and said he was going to Russia for the meeting.Trump also said he was about to announce Russia sanctions that were "much bigger" than the 50% tariffs he announced on India for buying Russian oil, and suggested that was still possible depending on what happens on Friday in Alaska.

Comments

World news

Ottawa man begs PM to save his family from Taliban's revenge for his helping Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

National Post

about 1 hour ago

Woman arrested after dumping a dead baby inside a hearse at a funeral home, cops say

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Trump says gold imports will not face US tariffs

Trump extends trade war truce with China

Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and pledges crime crackdown

How Trump can win in Alaska

Return of FDA official targeted by Trump allies hits biotech shares

‘I’ll know in the first two minutes’: Trump’s prediction about Zelensky-less Ukraine summit with Putin in Alaska

Can Trump pull off the impossible in Alaska?

Starmer warns Trump: Don’t trust Putin – as Zelensky faces giving up Russia-held land

Trump’s troop deployment won’t end with the US capital – it’s his blueprint for America

Trump Wields Tariffs as a Force in Diplomacy, to Questionable Effect

Judge rejects Trump administration request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts

Trump opens door to Nvidia selling advanced AI chips to China for a fee

Trump deploys National Guard in Washington over ‘safety emergency’

Chip makers Nvidia and AMD agree to pay 15 percent of Chinese revenue to America in deal to make Trump happy

Trump likens DC to ‘worst places on Earth’ as military takes over capital: ‘Wild youth, maniacs and homeless’

AriZona has been 99 cents for decades. Trump’s tariffs might change that

Trump expands L.A. military tactics by sending National Guard to Washington, D.C.

Trump to Axios on Israel's offensive: Hamas "can't stay" in Gaza

"Shocking stuff, even for Trump": D.C.-area Democrats rage at White House policing move

A tale of two Guards: Trump deploys D.C. troops as California trial kicks off

World news

Ottawa man begs PM to save his family from Taliban's revenge for his helping Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

‘It was horrific’: Witnesses tell how Israeli missiles tore through journalists’ tent in Gaza City

Epstein story has become a ‘nothingburger,’ data expert says

Woman arrested after dumping a dead baby inside a hearse at a funeral home, cops say

EasyJet pilot suspended after walking ‘drunk and naked’ around hotel

'They told us they were the Syrian army': CCTV shows hospital volunteer being shot dead at point-blank range

Funeral held for five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

U.S., China extend tariff pause another 90 days

Ukrainian village in Alberta to remain closed for restoration after devastating fire

‘This vehicle stands out’: New appeal in deadly targeted Surrey shooting

Flying High: First-place Blue Jays return home

Child attacked by mountain lion that wandered into California neighbourhood

Wesley Ridge fire on Vancouver Island now ‘being held,’ evacuation order partially downgraded

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle extend multi-year Netflix deal

Israel's chilling warning to Iranian leader as Tehran publishes IDF 'hit list'

Ghislaine Maxwell court materials to stay secret, judge rules

Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and pledges crime crackdown

Who Were the Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in an Israeli Strike in Gaza?

What to Know About Al Jazeera, the Broadcaster Israel Accuses of Supporting Hamas

‘Long walks around the farm’: Ontario miniature donkey’s dating profile goes viral

Pinawa water rescue a reminder to stay safe: first responders

Country music star’s mom stabbed to death in home invasion

‘I’ll know in the first two minutes’: Trump’s prediction about Zelensky-less Ukraine summit with Putin in Alaska

Florida restaurant stripped of Michelin star after owner-chef’s arrest on attempted murder charges

Chinese warship ploughs into own coast guard chasing Phillippine vessel

Is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU Bid Worth It?

America’s Military Runs on Chinese Rare Earths

Starmer warns Trump: Don’t trust Putin – as Zelensky faces giving up Russia-held land

Can Trump pull off the impossible in Alaska?

Trump’s troop deployment won’t end with the US capital – it’s his blueprint for America