Trump, Putin Prepare Alaska Meeting on Ukraine Conflict

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin share a complex, opaque, and sometimes contentious relationship that spans decades, including Trump's 1987 visit to Moscow and his business interests there. Their upcoming summit in Alaska is viewed as a critical moment to potentially negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, though the meeting raises concerns about sidelining Ukraine and offering Putin a platform to influence Trump. Trump has praised Putin in the past but also expressed frustration and threatened sanctions, reflecting a relationship marked by both admiration and tension. Critics worry the summit could undermine Western unity and Ukraine’s position, while Trump and Putin both see the meeting as an opportunity to reshape U.S.-Russia relations after years of conflict and sanctions. Historically, Trump has been skeptical of U.S. intelligence on Russian interference and has faced accusations of collusion, which he and his supporters deny, framing these claims as politically motivated. The dynamic between the two leaders remains unpredictable, with Trump's affinity for strongmen and Putin's pragmatic approach adding further complexity to their interactions.