Vladimir Putin praises Trump's 'energetic and sincere' efforts to end Ukraine war ahead of Alaska summit

WASHINGTON, DC: Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised US President Donald Trump for what he called “energetic and sincere efforts” to end the war in Ukraine, just a day before the two leaders meet in Alaska.

The high-stakes meeting will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska’s largest military base, and will focus on potential agreements to halt the conflict.

Vladimir Putin hails Donald Trump's approach before Alaska meeting

In a message released by the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin said Trump’s administration was making “quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities” and to “reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict.”

He added that the talks could “create long-term conditions for peace between our countries, and in Europe, and in the world as a whole – if, by the next stages, we reach agreements in the area of control over strategic offensive weapons.”

The remarks came in contrast to Trump’s sharp comments earlier this week, when he warned of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin does not agree to stop the war following Friday’s meeting.

“We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said last month. “He’s very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

Donald Trump says past talks with Vladimir Putin to stop attacks failed

When asked at a Wednesday press conference if he believed he could “convince [Putin] to stop targeting civilians in Ukraine,” Donald Trump replied, “I guess the answer to that is no, because I’ve had this conversation.”

He added, “I’ve had a lot of good conversations with him. Then I go home and I see that a rocket hit a nursing home or a rocket hit an apartment building and people are laying dead in the streets.”

Trump also claimed, “I want to end the war. It’s Biden’s war, but I want to end it. I’ll be very proud to end this war, along with the five other wars I ended.”

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to hold Joint press conference after one-on-one Alaska meet

The meeting will be one-on-one, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky excluded but likely briefed afterward.

It will be followed by a joint press conference. The Kremlin first announced the press briefing on Thursday, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirming, “that is the plan,” when asked about the event.

“So tomorrow, bright and early, he will be departing the White House for our joint military base in Anchorage, Alaska, where he will engage in a one-on-one meeting with President Putin, which will be followed by a bilateral lunch with the respective delegations from both countries, and then a press conference,” Leavitt told Fox News.

She confirmed that reporters would be able to ask questions of both leaders and called the meeting “an opportunity for Trump to sit down and look the Russian president in the eye and see what progress can be made to move the ball forward to end this brutal war and to restore peace.”

She also said, "The president wants to exhaust all options to try to bring this war to a peaceful resolution."

Internet split on Vladimir Putin's praise for Donald Trump

Internet users are divided over Vladimir Putin's praise of President Trump ahead of the Alaska summit, with supporters applauding the dialogue while critics raising alarms about Trump being manipulated by Putin.

"That's good, Trump wants peace," wrote one X user.

Another wrote, "It’s interesting to see global leaders recognize each other’s efforts. Dialogue is key, and every step towards peace counts!"

"That means something is very beneficial for Putin," another one sensed. 

"He plays Trump like a fool. Compliment him and Trump will give him everything," another critic wrote. 

“Putin is playing Trump like the string section of a symphony orchestra,” wrote another.

“Is there anything more dangerous in geopolitics than Vladimir Putin praising an American President right before a major summit?” wondered one.

"If he brokers a deal, the Nobel Prize will be his! Something he has coveted for a long time," a user suggested. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.