Putin praises Trump’s ‘energetic’ push to end Ukraine war, signals possible nuclear arms deal at Alaska summit

Putin suggested that peace efforts could be linked to agreements on 'strategic offensive weapons,' a phrase often used in reference to nuclear-capable missile systems.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lauded the Trump administration’s “energetic and sincere” attempts to halt the war in Ukraine, hinting that a broader deal on nuclear arms control could be on the table when he meets US President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday.

Chairing a meeting of senior Russian officials at the Kremlin on Thursday, Putin said the upcoming summit aimed to “create long-term conditions for peace” between Washington and Moscow, and potentially across Europe and the world, as per a report by CNN.

Nuclear arms control in the mix

Putin suggested that peace efforts could be linked to agreements on 'strategic offensive weapons,' a phrase often used in reference to nuclear-capable missile systems.

While he gave no details, past US–Russia arms control pacts, including the New START treaty, due to expire in February 2026, have capped deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons, CNN noted.

Tense backdrop: Submarines and sanctions

The Alaska talks come amid strains between the two powers. Earlier this month, Trump ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned near Russia in response to what he called “highly provocative” remarks from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

While Trump has yet to lift sweeping sanctions on Moscow, he has expressed interest in restoring Russia’s access to Western markets — a key Kremlin goal alongside ending the war.

Summit format and agenda

According to Putin’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, the summit will start with a one-on-one meeting between the leaders, followed by a working lunch and a joint press conference.

The top Russian delegation will include Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Ushakov said Ukraine will be the primary focus, alongside 'untapped' opportunities for US–Russia trade and economic cooperation.

Kyiv and Europe left out and worried

Neither Ukraine nor European nations have been invited to the talks, sparking concern in Kyiv and across the continent that key decisions could be made without them.

On Wednesday, European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a video call with Trump, pressing him for an immediate ceasefire and assurances that Ukraine’s interests would be protected.

Trump later said he warned there would be “very severe consequences” if Putin refused to end the war, without specifying what those might be. European officials told NBC News he also ruled out discussing territorial divisions with the Russian leader.

Zelenskyy: ‘Putin is bluffing’

Zelenskyy remains sceptical of Putin’s intentions, calling his peace talk 'a bluff.' On Thursday, he met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London to discuss Ukraine’s battlefield needs, including British financing for drones, and the Alaska summit.

Starmer’s office said the meeting was 'productive' and stressed that the talks could be a “viable chance to make progress, as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious about peace.”