Trump to ‘Talk Business’ With Russia, Wants Kyiv Secured for Next Talks

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the upcoming talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin would likely involve “business” – but only after the war ends.

Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday at 11 a.m. local time (10 p.m. Kyiv time) to discuss the war in Ukraine – the first meeting between US and Russian heads of state since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump touched on the planned talks with Putin, stating that there would likely be a business aspect, as he asserted that Putin is “bringing a lot of business people from Russia.”

Trump said he welcomed the idea before adding that ending the war is a precondition to realizing such talks.

“And I think, you know, something’s going to come of it. I noticed he’s bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that’s good. I like that because they want to do business,” Trump said. “But they’re not doing business until we get the war out.”

Trump later said he would talk business with Putin only if the talks progress positively on Friday.

According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov on Thursday, the Russian delegation consists of Ushakov himself, alongside Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

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In a wide-ranging discussion at the Black Sea Security Forum 2026, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reflected on Ukraine’s transformation since 2014, arguing that the country has broken decisively with its Soviet past, built Europe’s strongest army, and must pursue EU and NATO membership as the foundation of its long-term security.

The Russian delegation is set to meet with the US delegation after an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin, according to Ushakov.

Trump also called Putin a “smart guy,” said the two “get along” but criticized Putin’s recent intensified assaults across Ukraine when questioned by reporters.

Trump perceives the attacks as Putin’s attempt to gain leverage ahead of negotiations, which he said “actually hurts him” in the upcoming talks.

“I think they’re trying to negotiate. He’s trying to set a stage. I mean, in his mind, that helps him make a better deal. It actually hurts him, but in his mind, that helps him make a better deal if they can continue the killing,” Trump said.

“Maybe it’s a part of the world, maybe it’s just his fabric, his genes, his genetics, but he thinks that makes him… gives him strength in negotiating,” Trump said, adding that the attacks would be among the discussions on Friday.

Trump also backed down from his earlier remarks that territorial concessions from Kyiv would be discussed on Friday, now saying while it is still on the agenda, he’s “got to let Ukraine make that decision.”

Trump also said the goal of Friday is to “to get [Ukraine] at a table.”

On Wednesday, after calls with Kyiv and European leaders, the parties agreed that Trump’s goal on Friday is to secure a ceasefire, with Trump later saying he aims to secure a direct meeting between Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky, a proposal that Moscow has rejected so far.

Following Kyiv and Europe’s earlier appeal for security guarantees, Trump did not rule out US involvement – in cooperation with Europe – but said it would not come in the form of NATO.

Regarding his Wednesday threats of “severe consequences” for Moscow if the latter fails to agree to a peace settlement on Friday, Trump said he meant “economically severe” but remained tight-lipped on details.

“Economically severe. Yes, it will be very severe. I’m not doing this for my health. Okay. I don’t need it. I’d like to focus on our country, but I’m doing this to save a lot of lives,” Trump said.

“Yeah. Very severe.”