Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in Alaska on Friday in the first summit between the two leaders since the start of the war in Ukraine.
While the outcome remains uncertain, many in Moscow are hopeful the talks could pave the way for peace.
“This conflict must end someday, so I hope a compromise can be reached,” said one resident. Another described the meeting as a “huge step,” expressing optimism it could bring some advantage.
The trip will be Putin’s first visit to the United States since attending the U.N. General Assembly in New York in 2015.
The U.S., not being a member of the International Criminal Court, is under no obligation to enforce the ICC’s 2023 arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes.
Putin views the talks as an opportunity to secure Russia’s territorial gains, keep Ukraine out of NATO, and block the presence of Western troops there, with the long-term aim of pulling Kyiv back into Moscow’s sphere of influence.
He believes time is on his side as Ukrainian forces struggle to hold back Russian advances amid relentless missile and drone strikes.
For the Kremlin, the summit is a diplomatic breakthrough after years of isolation, framing it as a meeting of two global powers seeking to address multiple international issues, with Ukraine being just one of them.
However, Kyiv and its European allies fear a deal struck without Ukraine’s participation could pressure it into making unwanted concessions.
Trump’s previous attempts to persuade Russia to end the war have yielded no results, while Moscow’s larger army continues to make slow but costly gains.
So far, both sides remain far apart on the terms for peace.
