Trump hints at possible Ukraine peace deal after Putin meeting

(Web Desk): US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ready to reach an agreement over the war in Ukraine, adding that the threat of sanctions might have influenced Moscow’s willingness to engage.

According to a report by Reuters, Trump said he couldn’t say for sure whether an immediate ceasefire was possible but expressed interest in mediating a peace deal.

Trump is scheduled to meet Putin tomorrow in Alaska, marking a key moment in efforts to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.

In an interview with Fox News Radio’s "The Brian Kilmeade Show," Trump said, “I think now he [Putin] is ready to make a deal.” He added that he has three possible venues in mind for a future meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although he clarified that a second meeting is not guaranteed.

Trump said that holding a trilateral summit in Alaska would be the most convenient option.

“After this [first] meeting, depending on how it goes, I’ll call President Zelensky and say, ‘Come join us wherever we are meeting,’” he said.

He added that the second meeting — involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky — would focus more deeply on territorial and border issues. Zelensky has consistently maintained that Ukraine will not give up territory currently under Russian control.

“The second meeting will be very, very important because that’s where the actual deal will happen,” Trump said. “There will be negotiations on land, borders, and so on. It will be like a chess match setting up the second meeting — but there’s a 25% chance it may not succeed.”

Trump emphasized that any agreement would ultimately depend on Putin and Zelensky, stating, “I’m not going to make the deal for them. I want them to do it themselves.”

In preparation for the upcoming meeting, Putin reportedly held discussions today with his top ministers and security officials. The meeting could shape the endgame of the Ukraine war.

On Russian television, Putin acknowledged that the US appears to be making sincere and active efforts to stop the fighting, resolve the crisis, and reach agreements that are in the interests of all parties involved.

His remarks hinted that Russia may also raise the issue of nuclear arms control during broader security talks.

An Eastern European official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that Putin may try to divert Trump’s focus from Ukraine by luring him with potential progress on nuclear arms or trade agreements.

“We hope Trump doesn’t fall for the trap,” the official said. “He understands how dangerous these matters are.”

The official added that Russia’s primary goal is to prevent new sanctions and get existing ones lifted.

Currently, Russia occupies about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, and both Zelensky and European leaders fear that any agreement could legitimize these occupations, effectively rewarding Putin for 11 years of aggression and potentially encouraging further incursions into Europe.

A European Union diplomat commented, “It’s terrifying to think how this might unfold in the next few hours. Trump had a good conversation with Europe yesterday — but that was yesterday.”

European leaders noted that during a final virtual meeting on Wednesday, Trump had expressed willingness to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, although he has not made any such commitments public since.