U.S. President signals tough stance ahead of high-stakes Alaska summit
August 13, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning ahead of his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is prepared to walk out if the talks do not produce meaningful progress.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Alaska, where the summit is set to take place, Trump emphasized that the meeting is a “test of Russia’s willingness to cooperate” on critical global issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and energy security.
“I am going there to get results, not just a photo-op,” Trump said, adding that he would not hesitate to end the discussion if Russia refuses to engage constructively.
The Alaska summit comes amid heightened tensions following Trump’s tariff measures on countries trading with Russia and warnings of “severe consequences” if Moscow does not work toward ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Diplomatic sources suggest that while both sides want to avoid a breakdown, the stakes are high, and any failure could escalate economic and geopolitical tensions further.