Trump and Putin meet today in Anchorage. Here’s what to know
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska today, a momentous summit on American soil with a leader isolated by the West over the invasion of Ukraine.
Trump, who pledged a quick end to the war in Ukraine during his 2024 campaign, projected confidence ahead of the Anchorage summit — but remained vague about potential outcomes.
“Because of a certain relationship that he has with me, running this country … I believe now he’s convinced that he’s going to make a deal,” Trump told Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade on Thursday. “He’s going to make a deal.”
The two leaders are expected to meet in Anchorage starting at 11 a.m. Alaska Time (3 p.m. ET).
Trump has been casting this meeting as a prelude for a potential second meeting that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Thursday, he said he had three potential locations in mind, including Alaska.
“The more important meeting will be the second meeting that we’re having: We’re going to have a meeting with President Putin, President Zelenskyy, myself, and maybe we’ll bring some of the European leaders on. Maybe not,” he said on Thursday.
European leaders who have backed Ukraine in its fight against Russia spoke with Trump on Wednesday, saying Putin must agree to a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine before any peace talks begin.
Trump and Putin will hold their talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that they would hold a joint press conference at the end of the summit.
Trump has expressed frustration that Putin was “just tapping me along” after conversations where Putin indicated he wanted peace in Ukraine were followed by strikes on civilian targets. Trump has given few details about why these talks would be different, though he did say this week that there would be “severe consequences” for Russia if it did not stop its war, without elaborating.
Trump has talked about the possibility of a “land swap” between Russia and Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has strongly opposed ceding territory, noting that doing so would violate his country’s constitution.
More than 90,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled over potential loss of drive power
Vehicles impacted by the recall include 2022 to 2026 plug-in hybrid electric models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Trump walks back Chicago ‘war’ threat, but vows to ‘clean up’ cities
Trump posted online that Chicago was "about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR," but later said his administration wouldn't go to war with American cities but rather "clean them up."
Postal traffic to US drops more than 80% after trade exemption rule ends, UN agency says
The de minimis rule that allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs ended on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Colombia’s lone Amazon port faces drying river and rising tensions with Peru
Colombia's only Amazon port town could soon be cut off from the river that keeps it alive. As drought and a shifting river spark a tense border dispute with Peru, locals are scrambling to adapt—and politicians are raising flags, literally.
Sunday Puzzle: Common denominator
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Weekend Edition puzzlemaster Will Shortz along with listener Cynthia Rose of Littleton, Colorado.
South Korea says it has reached a deal with the US for the release of workers in a Georgia plant
More than 300 South Korean workers were detained in an immigration raid on Thursday. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said South Korea plans to send a charter plane to bring the workers home.
