4:56President Donald Trump in Washington, Aug. 14, 2025 and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Aug. 12, 2025.EPA/Shutterstock/AFP via Getty Images
In anticipation of Friday’s critical meeting in Alaska, both President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been publicly articulating their stances—while also indicating the tactics they might employ in private discussions.
ABC News consulted with current and former officials, as well as external policy analysts, to analyze both Trump and Putin’s strategies and the possible risks and benefits for each.
President Donald Trump in Washington, Aug. 14, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, Aug. 13, 2025 and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Aug. 12, 2025.EPA/Shutterstock/AFP via Getty Images
Is there a 75% chance of success?
Prior to the summit, the White House initially attempted to temper expectations, referring to it as a “listening session” for Trump to grasp Putin’s viewpoint on concluding the war in Ukraine.
Throughout the week, Trump refrained from making any commitments but gradually began to raise hopes, depicting the meeting with Putin as a crucial step that—if fruitful—would pave the way for another gathering that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"This meeting lays the groundwork for the second meeting, but there is a 25% chance that this meeting may not yield success," Trump stated during a Fox News Radio interview on Thursday.
However, Trump implied that if the summit with Putin proved constructive, it could trigger a swift wave of diplomacy, with follow-up discussions occurring shortly after the initial meeting, potentially at the same location.
"My only goal is to prepare for the next meeting, which should take place soon. I would prefer to see it happen very quickly—shortly after this meeting," the president remarked during an Oval Office event at the White House on Thursday. "I would like to see it actually occur perhaps in Alaska, where we can remain since it’s much more convenient."
Officials familiar with the president’s mindset suggest that his remarks reflect a readiness to seize opportunities as they arise. They also recognized that despite extensive preparations for the summit being underway for over a week, the president could quickly adapt based on his assessment of the meeting.
Trump hinted at the possibility of spontaneous adjustments to the summit’s agenda when he contradicted White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s earlier statement that a joint news conference featuring both Trump and Putin was planned.
"I will have a press conference. I’m not sure if it will be joint. We haven’t even discussed that yet," Trump indicated, suggesting that the format would hinge on the outcome of the meeting.
Officials report that Trump has been collaborating closely with his Secretary of State and interim national security adviser Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in preparation for the meeting, and both men are anticipated to accompany the president to Alaska.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street in London, Aug. 14, 2025.Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
An "all-Trump" peace initiative
European leaders emerged from a virtual conference with Trump on Wednesday expressing relief that the U.S. would participate in a security framework for Ukraine as part of a resolution to the conflict—although Trump did not publicly acknowledge such a commitment.
Zelenskyy and other European heads of state, who have
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
