United States: On the eve of his closely watched meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted that Moscow could be ready to reach a new nuclear agreement with Washington.
Speaking on Russian television Thursday, Putin commended the US for what he described as “sincere efforts” to halt the war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fourth year. “They are making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis, and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved,” he said, according to Reuters.
Putin also suggested that there could be progress toward future agreements on the control of strategic offensive weapons.
Pressure Mounts as Key Treaty Nears Expiration
The US and Russia possess the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals and are currently bound by the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which limits each side to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads. The treaty is due to expire in February, intensifying the stakes for this week’s talks, according to the reports by FOX News.
Recent tensions have underscored the fragility of the nuclear balance. In the past week, Trump ordered two US nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia after a former Russian president issued “highly provocative statements.” While the Kremlin dismissed the maneuver, it cautioned all sides to be “very, very careful” with their use of nuclear rhetoric.
A High-Stakes Alaska Meeting
Friday’s summit in Anchorage will mark the first direct meeting between US and Russian leaders since June 2021, months before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The meeting is widely seen as pivotal for Trump, who has pledged to end the war.
Trump has warned that Russia will face “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to agree to peace, though he has not publicly outlined what those consequences might involve.
Skepticism From Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed doubt about Moscow’s intentions. On Wednesday, he wrote on X that he sees “no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war.”
In the days leading up to the Trump-Putin talks, Zelenskyy has been rallying international backing. This week, he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street and traveled to Berlin for discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as reported by Fox News.
Coalition of Support for Ukraine
On Wednesday, Starmer and Merz co-chaired a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” — a group of nations committed to supporting Ukraine — alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. US Vice President JD Vance and Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Gen. Keith Kellogg also attended, underscoring Washington’s active role in shaping the diplomatic landscape ahead of the Alaska summit.