On Friday in Alaska, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet amid Europe’s oscillation between hope and fear about the meeting’s outcomes, especially concerning Ukraine and Europe. The editor of Politico’s European edition, Jimmy Dettmer, notes increasing concern in Ukraine and Europe over the summit. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed having “many fears” about the summit but also “great hope.” The 2018 meeting saw Trump enthusiastically accept Putin’s denial of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, causing conflict with US intelligence agencies. Now, there is concern Putin will skillfully maneuver Trump again, potentially putting him at odds with Ukraine and European allies. Moscow set all preconditions for the Alaska meeting, not Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected a land concession deal to avoid domestic backlash, with only about a third of Ukrainians willing to trade land for peace.

Trump sharply criticized Zelensky’s handling of the war but warned Russia of severe consequences if a ceasefire agreement is not reached during the Alaska summit.