President Donald Trump supports Russian leader Vladimir Putin's proposal for Moscow to take full control of the Donbas and freeze the front lines elsewhere for a deal with Ukraine.

Trump’s desire for Ukraine to give up its remaining territory in this key eastern region to end the war could remain elusive. Ahead of the Alaska meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly dismissed such a possibility,

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

President Donald Trump warned that "severe consequences" lie ahead for Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't agree to stop the Ukraine war after they meet for a high-stakes summit in Alaska on Friday.

Trump has already imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports.

Under President Joe Biden, American appeasement policies kept the Russian economy running hot, even as Biden refused to talk. Trump's plan is engage and squeeze.

The family of Alabama native David Barnes, who is serving a 21-year sentence in Russia, is hoping the upcoming Trump-Putin summit will lead to a prisoner exchange.