The threats, pressure and ultimatums have come and gone, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained Moscow’s uncompromising demands in the war

Experts remain divided. Some see the summit as a potential breakthrough, while others, like Nigel Gould-Davies, warn that it could validate Putin’s aggression. The lack of clarity on the proposed deal’s details and Trump’s shifting stance further fuel uncertainty.

None of that matters to President Donald Trump, who announced Friday night that he would meet the globally shunned leader this Friday in Alaska. What does matter to Trump is that he may be able to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, the worst European conflict since World War II, fulfilling one of his biggest campaign promises.