3:39President Donald Trump addresses reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington.Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
On Monday, President Donald Trump provided insights into his eagerly awaited discussion with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, expressing optimism for “productive dialogue” while noting that achieving a peace agreement does not solely rest with him.
Last week, Trump confirmed his plan to meet with Putin in Alaska, following the expiration of his self-imposed deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine. Specific details regarding the time and location of Friday’s summit have yet to be disclosed.
"This is essentially a preliminary meeting to gauge the situation a bit," Trump told journalists in the White House briefing room, where he also held a press conference regarding a federal intervention in Washington’s police force and the deployment of the National Guard to address, as he stated, the city’s crime and homelessness issues.
"I believe that if it weren’t for my efforts, he wouldn’t even be engaging in conversations with anyone else right now," Trump remarked about Putin. Simultaneously, he played down expectations that the discussions on Friday would lead to a resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
"We will assess the parameters, and then I plan to reach out to President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and the European leaders immediately following the meeting," Trump noted. "And I will inform them about the nature of the discussions — I won’t be completing a deal. It’s not my role to finalize an agreement."
President Donald Trump addresses reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington.Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Trump stated that Zelenskyy was not invited to participate in Friday’s meeting, but he would contact the Ukrainian leader immediately afterward to share what was discussed. He mentioned that if a “fair deal” emerged, he would disclose it to Zelenskyy and the European leaders.
"And I might say, ‘Good luck, keep fighting’ or I might say, ‘We can reach an agreement,’" Trump indicated.
When queried by Trump on how he would discern whether a deal is feasible, he replied: "Because that’s my specialty. I negotiate agreements."
Trump refrained from providing specific details on what he would deem a just settlement between Ukraine and Russia, but once again implied that there might be "some land exchanges."
Trump expressed his intention to facilitate a subsequent meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin or among himself, Zelenskyy, and Putin.
"I will be available if they require me, but I want to ensure a meeting is arranged between the two leaders," Trump stated.
On Monday, Zelenskyy urged for increased international pressure on Russia, asserting that Putin is not taking actions that would indicate he is seeking peace.
"Putin is solely focused on portraying a meeting with the United States as his personal triumph, while continuing his previous tactics of exerting pressure on Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
"Currently, there are no signs that the Russians are preparing for a post-war scenario whatsoever," Zelenskyy added. "On the contrary, they are redeploying their troops and resources in ways that indicate preparations for new offensive operations. If someone is genuinely preparing for peace, this is not how they would act."
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) delivering a speech during an event commemorating the 1160th anniversary of Russia’s statehood in Veliky Novgorod on September 21, 2022, while Donald Trump observes
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
