Trump Says He Will Seek to Recover Territory for Ukraine in Putin Meeting

Washington – US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will attempt to secure the return of some Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russia when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin this Friday.

“Russia’s occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They occupied prime territory. We’re going to try to get some of that territory back for Ukraine,” Trump told reporters at a White House press conference.

The meeting, set to take place in Alaska, will be a “feel-out meeting,” Trump said, adding that a future round of talks could involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—either separately or together with Putin.

A White House official confirmed over the weekend that Trump remains open to a three-way summit. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also said there was still a possibility Zelensky could join Friday’s meeting, noting the final decision rests with Trump.

Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet at the end of the week. Trump has claimed he will know “within two minutes” of meeting Putin whether progress can be made.

The Alaska summit follows Trump’s announcement last Friday—his self-imposed deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face additional US sanctions.

Reacting to news of the meeting, Zelensky warned that any agreements made without Kyiv’s involvement would amount to “dead decisions.”

With inputs from IANS