MWE Correspondent
U.S. President Donald Trump has described Russia as a “warring nation,” claiming the country has been engaged in conflicts for centuries and “just keeps on fighting.”
His remarks came ahead of a high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to take place later this week in Alaska.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Trump said the Alaska summit would serve as a “feel-out meeting” to assess whether a peace deal over the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war is possible. “I’ll know in the first two minutes whether we can reach an agreement,” he told reporters, suggesting the encounter will be more exploratory than conclusive.
Trump’s comments about Russia’s history of warfare set a blunt tone for the talks, underscoring long-standing tensions between Washington and Moscow. He also hinted that a potential settlement could involve “some land swapping,” a suggestion that both sides might consider territorial adjustments as part of a broader peace arrangement.
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The idea has sparked widespread criticism. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected any plan involving territorial concessions, warning that Russia appears to be preparing for fresh offensives rather than a ceasefire. European leaders have echoed his concerns, stressing that any peace deal must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and uphold international law.
Diplomats in Brussels and other capitals are closely watching the developments, with some privately expressing fears that a rushed agreement could embolden Moscow and set a dangerous precedent for other territorial disputes worldwide.
The Alaska meeting will be the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Putin since the start of the current phase of the Ukraine war. Analysts say the stakes are high—not only for the warring parties but also for global stability.
