Trump and Putin Meet for First Time in Six Years as War in Ukraine Rages On
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have come face-to-face for the first time in six years, meeting behind closed doors with only their translators present. The high-stakes encounter comes against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile war in Ukraine.
The US president appeared confident. “I’ll know within minutes if there is a deal to be done,” Trump declared before the meeting.
Despite the dramatic setting, no one is expecting a dramatic breakthrough. The White House has already sought to cool hopes, calling the session a “listening exercise” rather than a decisive negotiation.
Notably, the leaders will not be discussing a full peace settlement, at least not officially. Trump has previously floated the idea of dividing Ukrainian territory as part of a deal, an approach Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has flatly rejected.
The New York Times reports that Donald Trump has had secret discussions with Vladimir Putin 7 times since leaving office.
It is no secret that Trump has been aggressively urging congressional Republicans to block military aid to Ukraine.
Is this just a coincidence? pic.twitter.com/zYzsiJt8pP
— BlueDream (@58bugeye) October 8, 2024
Tensions and Protests Beyond the Summit
In Anchorage, protesters rallied in solidarity with Ukraine. Ukrainian flags waved in the breeze. A massive banner stretched across the crowd, reading, “Alaska stands with Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, on the front lines, the situation is deteriorating. The Ukrainian government has ordered the evacuation of families with children from Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region, where fighting has intensified.
According to AFP, Russian forces advanced up to 10km near Dobropillia and Druzhkivka earlier this week, marking the most significant territorial gain in a single day in over a year, based on data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War.
Strikes Across the Border
The violence has spilled over into Russian territory. Local officials in the Volgograd region reported that an oil refinery caught fire after being struck by debris from a Ukrainian drone. The blaze has since been brought under control.
The Trump–Putin meeting may be historic, but with bombs still falling and neither side willing to compromise on key issues, it is hard to imagine the war ending soon. The world watches, and waits.
For further insight into the broader diplomatic context and reactions from both sides, read our in-depth Ukraine war update covering key moments from the summit and beyond.
