Pakistan, Aug. 15 -- US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday for a high-stakes summit that could shape Ukraine's future. The meeting will be Putin's first visit to Western soil since ordering the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a war that has killed tens of thousands. Despite extending the invitation at Putin's suggestion, Trump warned the talks could end within minutes if no progress is made toward a compromise.

Global attention is locked on this rare encounter, with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky closely monitoring events. Zelensky, excluded from the meeting, has refused Trump's calls to give up territories seized by Russia. Trump labeled the event as a "...