WASHINGTON
US President Donald Trump warned Friday that he might “walk” out of his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, if the discussions do not go as planned.
Fox News highlighted Trump’s comments on the social media platform X, citing an interview with anchor Bret Baier, in which Trump reiterated that he “would walk” if the meeting did not go well.
“We’re heading to a meeting with President Putin in Alaska. I believe it will go very well, but if it doesn’t, I’ll return home quickly,” Trump said, according to FOX News White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on X.
Earlier, aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that any potential territorial swaps between Ukraine and Russia would ultimately be Ukraine’s decision.
“They will be discussed, but it’s up to Ukraine to decide. I believe they’ll make the right choice. I’m not negotiating for Ukraine, but I will bring them to the table,” Trump said, responding to questions about territorial swaps. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed ceding any territory.
Trump also confirmed that he had assured Zelenskyy of possible security guarantees for Ukraine. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump noted that such guarantees could involve Europe and other nations, but emphasized they would not include NATO membership, which he said is “not going to happen.”
In the lead-up to the summit, Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social: “HIGH STAKES!!!”
The meeting, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. local time (19:30 GMT) in Anchorage, marks the first talks between a sitting US president and a Russian president since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
Trump will be accompanied by several senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
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