Putin wants to get deal done: Trump

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Thursday about the possibility of peace between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“I think Putin’s going to make a deal,” Trump said in a Fox News radio interview, adding that if the meeting went well he would call Zelenskyy and European leaders afterwards and that if it went badly he would not.

Trump said an immediate ceasefire may not be possible, adding, “The more important meeting will be the second one we’re planning.”

Zelenskyy and his European allies have intensified their efforts this week to prevent any deal between the US and Russia emerging from Friday’s summit that leaves Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.

Putin earlier spoke to his most senior ministers and security officials as he prepared for the meeting with Trump in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday that could shape the endgame to the largest war in Europe since World War Two.

In televised comments, Putin said that the US was “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 in this conflict”.

This was happening, Putin said, “in order to create long-term conditions for peace between our countries, and in Europe, and in the world as a whole — if, by the next stages, we reach agreements in the area of control over strategic offensive weapons.”

His comments signalled that Russia will raise the issue of nuclear arms control as part of a wide-ranging discussion on security when he sits down with Trump. A Kremlin aide said Putin and Trump would also discuss the “huge untapped potential” for Russia-US economic ties.

A senior eastern European official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Putin would try to distract Trump from Ukraine at the talks by offering him possible progress on nuclear arms control or something business-related.

US backing for coalition force

European leaders have praised Trump for agreeing to allow US military support for a coalition force, of around 30 countries, they are mustering to police any future peace in Ukraine — a move that vastly improves the chances of success for an operation that could prove essential for the country’s security.

They said Trump offered military backup for the “reassurance force” during a call they held with him ahead of his planned summit with Putin. They did not say what the assistance might involve. The force will have its headquarters in Paris before moving to London next year.