Trump and Putin: A Complicated Relationship Ahead of Alaska Summit
The strained relationship between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in focus at a summit in Alaska, as both leaders seek to maneuver over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump, known for his strongman persona, has long admired Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, their once-close relationship has grown strained in recent years.
The two are set to meet again at a summit in Alaska on Friday, amidst ongoing tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Trump views the summit as an opportunity to press Putin to negotiate an end to the war, though experts argue that Putin's approach tends to be more patient and long-sighted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of Trump assessing Putin directly.
Despite the strained relationship, both leaders have engaged in dialogue, with Trump expressing frustration over Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine.
The meeting will be only the second one-on-one encounter between the two since 2018.
Both leaders have met six times during Trump's first term, and their interactions have been marked by periods of warming relations followed by tensions.
A defining moment came at a 2018 summit in Helsinki, where Trump appeared to accept Putin's denials of Russian election interference despite intelligence indicating otherwise.
As the meeting approaches, concerns persist over what it may achieve, with some fearing that Putin could view it as an opportunity to prolong the conflict.
However, their once-close relationship has grown strained in recent years.
The two are set to meet again at a summit in Alaska on Friday, amidst ongoing tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Trump views the summit as an opportunity to press Putin to negotiate an end to the war, though experts argue that Putin's approach tends to be more patient and long-sighted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of Trump assessing Putin directly.
Despite the strained relationship, both leaders have engaged in dialogue, with Trump expressing frustration over Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine.
The meeting will be only the second one-on-one encounter between the two since 2018.
Both leaders have met six times during Trump's first term, and their interactions have been marked by periods of warming relations followed by tensions.
A defining moment came at a 2018 summit in Helsinki, where Trump appeared to accept Putin's denials of Russian election interference despite intelligence indicating otherwise.
As the meeting approaches, concerns persist over what it may achieve, with some fearing that Putin could view it as an opportunity to prolong the conflict.
