President Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have started their Alaska summit with a warm handshake on Friday. They greeted each other like old friends before heading into discussions that could reshape the war in Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington. The summit gives Trump a chance to prove he is a master dealmaker and global peacemaker. For Putin, it's an opportunity to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia's gains. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders aren't invited. The meeting could have far-reaching implications, with foreign governments watching closely.

President Donald Trump says there will be "very severe consequences" if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war against Ukraine after the two leaders meet for a summit later this week in Alaska. Trump made the comment Wednesday in response to a question from a reporter after announcing this year's Kennedy Center Honors recipients in Washington. He did not say what the consequences might be. The remark came soon after Trump consulted with European leaders, who said the president assured them he would make a priority of trying to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine when he speaks with Putin on Friday in Anchorage.

President Donald Trump says he expects to know quickly if a deal can be made with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. Trump plans to meet Putin on Friday in Alaska. He suggested on Monday that he could know how serious Putin is within two minutes. He also refused to say if the meeting should involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appeared dismissive of Zelenskyy's role. European allies want Ukraine involved to prevent a deal favoring Moscow. Germany plans a separate, virtual meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy and other leaders to prepare for peace negotiations.

Ukraine and its European backers are seeking talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to protect their security interests ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week. The German chancellor has invited Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NATO's chief and several European leaders to virtual meetings on Wednesday. Trump and Putin meet in Alaska on Friday. Europe and Kyiv worry a deal could be made without them. The German chancellery says the virtual talks will focus on "preparations for possible peace negotiations and related issues of territorial claims and security." Neither Zelenskyy nor European leaders have so far been invited to Friday's summit.

President Donald Trump will convene a peace summit at the White House with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The meeting is meant to end decades of conflict and help reopen key transportation corridors across the South Caucasus that have been shut since the early 1990s. Trump says the two leaders will participate in a peace ceremony and sign economic agreements with the U.S. that will "fully unlock the potential of the South Caucasus Region." The Republican president on Friday will first meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and then will host Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. All three leaders will participate in a joint signing ceremony in the State Dining Room.

The friendliness between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump was seen as a relationship like no other. The two men often shared bear hugs, showered flattering praise on each other and made appearances at stadium rallies — a boost in the arm for two populist leaders with ideological similarities. All appeared well until a series of events left the ties between them — and their countries — sour. From Trump's tariffs and India's purchase of oil from Russia to a U.S. tilt towards Pakistan, friction between New Delhi and Washington has been noticeable.