Aboard Air Force One on Friday, en route to Alaska for a summit with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, President Donald J. Trump projected confidence and a sense of urgency in his push to end the war between Russia and Ukraine — while emphasizing that the United States is financially benefiting from its role in the conflict.
Asked by a reporter what would define success at the day’s meeting, Trump was blunt. “I can’t tell you that. I don’t know. There’s nothing set in stone,” he said. His priority, he continued, is clear: “I want certain things. I want to see a ceasefire. This is not to do with Europe. Europe’s not telling me what to do, but they’re going to be involved in the process, obviously, as well as Zelensky. But, I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I don’t know if it’s going to be today, but I’m not going to be happy if it’s not today. Everyone said it can’t be today. But I’m just saying, I want the killing to stop. We’re in this to stop the killing.”
While underscoring the human toll of the war, Trump also noted the financial position the United States holds. “You know, we’re not putting up any money — we’re making money!” he told reporters. “They’re buying our weapons and we’re sending them to NATO and NATO is sending us big, beautiful checks. But, I don’t care about that… It was a big deal when Biden spent $350 billion and got nothing.”
The remark contrasted sharply with the approach of the Biden administration, which Trump portrayed as having invested heavily without securing clear results. In Trump’s telling, the current arrangement reflects American strength: arming allies, collecting payments, and avoiding direct financial strain on U.S. taxpayers.
Still, Trump insisted his central focus is halting the loss of life. “But what I do care about is that they lost, last week, 7,011 people, almost all soldiers. Thirty-six people in a town, which was hit by a missile. But, over 7,000 soldiers. It’s crazy,” he said, his tone shifting from boastful to somber.
The meeting with Putin, scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern time, is expected to focus on finding a pathway to peace, though Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will not be at the table.
According to reports, Zelensky spoke with Trump by phone earlier in the week and rejected the idea of making territorial concessions as part of a settlement.
In Alaska, Trump and Putin will be met by demonstrators waving Ukrainian flags and chanting in support of Kyiv.
The protests underscore the charged atmosphere surrounding the talks, though Trump has made clear he views his role as that of a dealmaker positioned to achieve what others have deemed impossible.
“I want the killing to stop,” Trump reiterated, leaving little doubt that, for him, the measure of success will not be found in diplomatic symbolism alone — but in whether the guns in Eastern Europe fall silent.
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