President Donald Trump\u2019s social media team shared a series of photos Tuesday showing him boarding Air Force One en route to Alaska for a high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Supporters flooded the comment sections with prayers and praise, applauding Trump for attempting to broker peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.<\/p>\n
\u201cSafe travels, Mr. President. We are praying for peace,\u201d one commenter wrote. Another praised Trump as \u201ca tough yet peacemaking leader.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the flight, Trump reiterated his warning to Putin about \u201cvery severe\u201d economic consequences if Russia halts progress toward peace. \u201cThe war has got to stop and the killing\u2019s got to stop,\u201d Trump said, emphasizing that he\u2019s willing to apply pressure if Putin backs away from negotiations.<\/p>\n
This marks the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021. While the focus is on Ukraine, Trump suggested that broader issues\u2014such as a potential nuclear arms deal\u2014could also come up. He noted Putin is bringing a group of Russian business leaders to the talks, which Trump saw as a sign of interest in rebuilding ties\u2014contingent on ending the war.<\/p>\n
Pressed about potential U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine, Trump indicated that discussions might involve Europe, though he ruled out NATO membership for now. On territorial concessions, Trump said Ukraine must make its own decisions: \u201cI\u2019m not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I\u2019m here to get them at the table.\u201d \u201cIf Putin isn\u2019t serious, there will be economic consequences,\u201d Trump warned. \u201cI\u2019m doing this to save lives\u2014not for my health.\u201d<\/p>\n