Trump’s swift push for Putin meeting draws scrutiny over timing

Washington: President Donald Trump’s plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska has drawn attention for its speed, sequencing and geopolitical implications. The summit will be the first US–Russia meeting since 2021 and comes before any scheduled talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The announcement follows Trump’s signing of an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil, which he says fund Moscow’s military operations. The juxtaposition, penalising one of US’s partners while inviting Russia’s leader for direct talks, has raised questions about the coherence of US policy. Trump has suggested that any settlement could involve “swapping of territories,” though he offered no specifics. While the Russia has not confirmed the Alaska date, some analysts say the meeting could provide Putin with a high- profile platform, while others see it as a potential opportunity to open channels for negotiation. The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, continues with heavy fighting along the front line. Washington think tanks note that Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on terms for peace, and that any breakthrough will require significant compromises from both sides.