Ahead of summit, Trump questions what’s changed about Putin

Ahead of a high-stakes summit in Alaska, former President Donald Trump is questioning whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has truly changed; despite once boasting of their relationship, Trump is now privately frustrated and angry as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages into its fourth year and Putin shows no sign of backing down. U.S. and European officials warn that Putin still demands Ukraine never join NATO, insists on keeping seized territory, and could use any ceasefire to regroup for further attacks. While Trump insists he can quickly judge Putin face-to-face—claiming he’ll know within “two minutes” if peace is possible—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautioned that Putin only seeks a symbolic victory, not a genuine deal. Analysts add that Putin, increasingly paranoid during the pandemic, surrounded himself with hardliners and now views victory in Ukraine as essential to his survival. European allies fear Trump could be lured into concessions that reward aggression, though some believe he may uniquely pressure Putin. As the two leaders prepare for their first meeting in six years, the stakes are enormous: for Trump, a test of diplomacy; for Putin, a fight for survival; and for Ukraine, a battle for its very future.