Ahead of Alaska Summit, Trump Questions Whether Putin Has Changed

In the lead-up to his Friday summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, President Donald Trump has been privately asking European leaders and White House aides what has changed about his counterpart since their last meeting in 2019.

The meeting comes amid Trump’s pledge to broker a swift peace deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — a conflict that has only intensified this year. While some White House officials see signs that Putin’s short-term objectives may have shifted, U.S. intelligence assessments remain skeptical, warning that Putin’s long-standing territorial ambitions and opposition to Ukraine joining NATO remain unchanged.

Sources familiar with recent intelligence say Putin believes he is winning and would use any ceasefire to strengthen his forces before potentially pushing for more territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also cautioned that Putin is not preparing for a ceasefire, warning that the Kremlin leader intends to use a meeting with Trump as a personal victory.

Trump’s growing frustration with Putin has been evident in private conversations, where aides and diplomats say his tone has become more critical and laced with expletives. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, his main Russia intermediary, has also expressed concerns that Moscow is stalling negotiations.

Intelligence experts note that Putin remains a “hard target,” with decision-making closely guarded among a small circle of confidants. While Trump has said he’ll know within minutes of meeting whether a deal is possible, analysts caution that Putin’s ideological commitment to controlling Ukraine makes any agreement difficult.

European leaders are wary that Trump might agree to terms favorable to Russia, especially after reports that discussions have touched on Russian control of Ukrainian territories. Trump has told allies that territorial decisions rest with Zelensky, but observers say his administration’s focus on land swaps may miss the broader strategic goals driving Putin.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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