White House calls Trump-Putin summit a “listening session”

The White House has characterised President Donald Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska as less a negotiation and more a “listening session,” to gauge possibilities rather than sealing deals.

The Russian government has reportedly floated a ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, contingent on Kyiv withdrawing from parts of the Donbas region. The New York Post, however, reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky swiftly rejected the notion, declaring that “Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier”.

In Washington, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that President Trump’s primary task is to explore, not finalise, a peace plan. She emphasized that Trump will consult with Zelensky and European leaders before and after meeting Putin. Leavitt stressed that any enduring settlement must “not proceed without Ukraine’s full involvement”.