“A 12 -hour train trip.” Why Trump's desired scenario after meeting with Putin is “almost impossible”
The Kiev-Budapest night train, seen in the Keleti station in Budapest before leaving for Kiev-Pasazhyrskyi, on June 28, 2025. Photo: Andreas Stroh / Imago Stock and People / Profimedia
A source of Ukraine minimized the chances of President Volodimir Zelenski's participation in any kind of peace negotiations in Alaska immediately after the Friday summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
This source stated, for CNN, that it would be “almost impossible” logistically for Zelenski to quickly make the journey to Anchorage, the city of Alaska where the Putin-Trump meeting will be organized, which is nearly 8,000 kilometers from Kiev.
“Remember that every international trip outside Kiev starts with a 12 -hour train trip. Arriving in Alaska would take almost two days,” the source said.
On Thursday, in the latest public statements, Trump said he wants to organize a second meeting – “maybe in Alaska” – between him, Putin and Zeenski “shortly” after the Friday summit, if he will go well.
From the Oval Office, shortly before the Alaska summit, Trump is convinced that Putin “will not play with me” / which will be “the most important” meeting
According to the same Ukrainian source, Kiev would be opened in discussions, “but if a trilateral meeting will take place, then Ukraine would like Russia to accept an armistice as a first step,” before any negotiations can take place.
The source added that Trump is expected to inform Zenski over the phone about the result of the summit with Putin in Alaska and discuss the future steps.
