Kathmandu. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting in Alaska on Friday. This is being seen as a peace talk to end the long-running Russia-Ukraine war.

Putin wants as much territory as possible in the talks. Similarly, Trump will try to create international pressure and force Russia to cease the war.

The talks between Trump and Putin are set to take place in Alaska. Alaska was sold to the US by Russia in the 19th century. Now, Russia has occupied many territories in Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zhambyl, and Kherson. Through these talks, Russia also wants to take over the lands that are under Ukrainian control in those provinces. This is unacceptable for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already said that he is not ready to give up all the lands occupied by Russia. There is also a fear that if Zelensky fails to deliver on the agreement, all aid to Ukraine will be cut off. Russia is trying to take advantage of the same fear in Ukraine.

The talks also show the possibility of improving economic relations between Russia and the United States. Although Russian troops are advancing into Ukrainian territory every day, the situation there has changed. Russia’s economy has weakened. Oil and gas revenues have decreased.

During his second US presidential campaign, Trump had said that peace would be established between Russia and Ukraine. He had tried to do this since January, but only disappointment came.

Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky had a falling out during a meeting at the White House in February. He briefly suspended military assistance and intelligence sharing in Ukraine. In the past few weeks, Trump has been angry with Russian President Putin. Last week, Trump was busy discussing with European leaders to make the talks successful. (Agency)