Overview

• At a White House briefing, President Trump said he expects to know within the first two minutes of Friday’s Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin whether a peace deal is viable.
• He reiterated his intention to secure an immediate halt to hostilities in Ukraine and pursue what he called “the best deal that could be made for both parties.”
• Trump cited the administration’s 50 percent tariff on countries buying Russian oil as having delivered a “big blow” to Russia’s economy.
• He revealed he was prepared to impose far tougher measures on Moscow but agreed to talks after receiving Putin’s request.
• He plans to brief European leaders on the outcome and arrange a direct meeting between Putin and President Zelensky if a fair settlement emerges.