Overview

• The summit opened behind closed doors at Elmendorf-Richardson with only Trump, Putin and interpreters, to be followed by delegation talks, a working lunch and a potential joint press conference.
• Trump has framed the meeting as a test of Russia’s willingness to halt the war and warned of “very serious consequences” if Putin rejects a ceasefire.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said sanctions and secondary tariffs remain on the table if Russia fails to agree.
• Reports indicate the United States may offer Putin access to Alaska’s rare-earth deposits and relief from aviation sanctions in exchange for diplomatic progress on Ukraine.
• European and Ukrainian leaders have objected to a bilateral deal that excludes Kyiv, while divisions within the U.S. administration over leverage and objectives cast doubt on any agreement.