I’ll Not Be Intimidated in Summit with Putin, Assures Trump

U.S. President, Donald Trump has vowed to stand firm and resist any intimidation as he prepares for a high-profile summit with Russian President, Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Speaking ahead of the Friday meeting, Trump insisted that Putin “is not going to mess around with me,” signalling a tough stance before what is expected to be a politically charged encounter.

The summit, scheduled for August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since 2019, and the first U.S.-hosted Russia–United States summit since 1988.

Trump has framed the talks as an opportunity to push for an end to the war in Ukraine, warning Moscow of “very severe consequences” if there is no progress toward peace.

In a pointed remark aimed at reassuring allies, Trump stressed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not be sidelined from any potential agreement.

“Ukraine will be part of any deal,” he declared, amid concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Washington could negotiate directly with Moscow at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty.

The stakes for the meeting are high. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered a protracted phase, with global diplomatic efforts struggling to secure a lasting ceasefire.

Western allies have urged Trump to maintain a united front with NATO and avoid concessions that could embolden Moscow. The Kremlin, for its part, has signalled readiness to discuss Ukraine but remains firm on its territorial claims.

The Alaska summit is expected to cover a wide range of topics, from security guarantees and energy cooperation to the easing of certain sanctions. Analysts say both leaders will be looking to project strength—Putin on the global stage and Trump to his political base at home.

While Trump’s remarks have been welcomed by some as a sign of resolve, others caution that his history with Putin has often been marked by mixed messaging.

Whether his firm tone will translate into concrete diplomatic wins remains to be seen.

The outcome of Friday’s meeting could shape the trajectory of U.S.-Russia relations for years to come, with Ukraine’s fate and the broader balance of global power hanging in the balance.