WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The White House is calling it an early step in what could be a much longer process to end the war in Ukraine.

President Trump says Friday’s meeting with Vladimir Putin is about opening the door to diplomacy, not signing a peace deal just yet.

"If we can get the war solved, we'll be very happy,” said Trump.

The president says the sit-down is a chance to listen to Putin with formal negotiations still to come once Ukraine is at the table.

"I think President Putin will make peace. I think President Zelenskyy will make peace. We'll see if they can get along,” said Trump.

President Trump says he'll know right away which direction his meeting with Putin is going.

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