US President Donald Trump is on his way to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Trump left the White House in Washington early on Friday and took off shortly afterwards on Air Force One. Trump is expected to land in Anchorage, Alaska, at 21:00 Belgian time.
Trump will meet Putin there for the first time since the start of his second term in office. The two leaders will discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick are travelling with Trump to Alaska. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will also be present.
The talks could be decisive for the end of the war in Ukraine. However, it is unclear how much can be expected. Ukraine, which is not allowed to join the talks in Alaska, has been defending itself against the Russian invasion for almost three and a half years. Ukraine's European allies are concerned that Trump and Putin will agree that the country must cede territory to Russia without Ukraine's say in the matter.
Trump has previously spoken appreciatively and respectfully of Putin, who rules Russia with an authoritarian hand. After meetings during his first term, Trump consistently adopted Putin's positions.
Earlier on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia would present a "clear and understandable" position in Alaska. Lavrov arrived in Anchorage wearing a sweatshirt with 'CCCP' on it, the Russian acronym for the Soviet Union.
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