Trump believes Putin is coming to Alaska to "make a deal"

US President Donald Trump says he believes Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is coming to the Alaska summit on Friday 15 August with the intention of "making a deal" to end the war in Ukraine.

Source: CNN via European Pravda

Details: Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Trump shared his expectations for the talks.

"I believe now he’s convinced that he’s going to make a deal. He’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to. And we’re going to find out – I’m going to know very quickly," Trump said.

The US president added that his goal is to move towards a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting three different venues for it, including the possibility of staying in Alaska.

"If it’s a bad meeting, I’m not calling anybody – I’m going home. … But if it’s a good meeting, I’m going to call President Zelenskyy and the European leaders," he said.

Asked whether he would offer Russia economic incentives during the meeting, Trump avoided giving a direct answer.

"Well, I’d rather not say because I don’t want to play my hand in public, but whatever my hand is, economic incentives – and disincentives maybe – are more important, in a way, but incentives economically, you know."

Asked whether his sanctions threats might have influenced Putin’s decision to agree to meet in Alaska, Trump replied that everything has an impact. He also noted that secondary tariffs against India have essentially wiped out its purchases of oil from Russia.

"Certainly, when you lose your second-largest customer and you’re probably going to lose your first-largest customer, I think that probably has a role," he said.

Background:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier that Trump will call him after meeting with the Kremlin leader.
• Trump has also said that if the Alaska meeting with Putin goes well, he will arrange a second meeting which Zelenskyy could attend.

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