US-Russia summit location set as Trump meets with Zelenskyy
The White House announced it has settled on a location for Friday’s historic summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But before Trump meets with Putin, he’s scheduled to connect with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting
Trump and Vice President JD Vance will hold a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy and European allies at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, ABC News reported.
Zelenskyy said he’s heard signals that Russia may be open to a ceasefire. However, he warned there’s no sign Putin is preparing for peace.
“There was a signal from Mr. Witkoff … that Russia is ready to end the war, or at least to make a first step toward a ceasefire, and that this was the first such signal from them,” Zelenskyy said regarding a phone call between himself, Trump, White House Adviser Steve Witkoff and European allies.
Zelenskyy said that since he met with Trump, a meeting between Trump and Putin was a logical next step. He added that a three-way meeting with the leaders should follow the Trump-Putin summit.
Trump-Putin summit location
Trump’s meeting with Putin is set for just two days after his meeting with Zelenskyy. White House officials announced the Trump-Putin summit will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
After days of scrambling and running into peak tourist season, officials decided the base was the only spot that would work.
Federal personnel aimed to avoid the optics of hosting Russia’s leader on a U.S. military base. However, it was the only option that satisfied security and logistical needs, according to CNN.
Trump and Putin will meet for the first time in six years. The White House has called the meeting a “listening session.” The president said he wants to look the Russian leader in the eye and assess him.
The summit occurs amid high stakes and intense scrutiny over the two men’s past one-on-one meetings.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
