Putin Drops 1-Word Response Day Before High-Stakes Trump Meeting

Just one day before his long-awaited summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence — with a single word that drew global attention.

Speaking at the Kremlin, Putin praised the Trump administration’s “energetic” efforts to end the war in Ukraine. His remarks suggested that the upcoming meeting in Alaska could lay the groundwork for a landmark nuclear arms deal between Washington and Moscow.

“The current American administration is making… quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities,” Putin said, offering a rare note of optimism in the ongoing conflict.

The two leaders are expected to meet privately, accompanied only by translators, before holding a working lunch. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the agenda will cover Ukraine, trade, and potential nuclear arms control agreements.

The timing is critical. The New START treaty, the last major nuclear arms reduction pact between the U.S. and Russia, is set to expire in February 2026. Recently, Trump disclosed that he had deployed two nuclear submarines near Russia after threats from Russian official Dmitry Medvedev.

Meanwhile, European leaders are working urgently to influence Trump, worried that Ukraine may be pressured into concessions without their participation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any territorial compromise, warning that giving up Donbas would “start a third war.”

As anticipation builds, Friday’s Alaska summit could reshape U.S.-Russia relations—or risk sparking a dangerous new phase of global tension.