Washington: US President Donald Trump estimates the probability of success of his upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska at 75 percent. A Fox News Radio host asked the US head of state to assess the likelihood that he would conclude the meeting was not worthwhile following talks with Putin. Trump said the probability of that happening was 25 percent.

According to Philippines News Agency, Trump elaborated that the meeting is akin to a chess game, setting the stage for a subsequent meeting. However, he acknowledged a 25% chance that the meeting might not be deemed successful. Trump also hinted at the potential for organizing a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky if the talks with Putin prove successful.

Three different locations are under consideration for the meeting, and the possibility of holding the trilateral talks in Alaska has not been ruled out. On August 8, Trump expressed his eagerness to meet with Putin in Alaska on August 15, and Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov confirmed the plans. The discussions aim to explore options for a long-term peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Ushakov added that the Kremlin anticipates the next meeting between Putin and Trump to occur on Russian territory. Following a meeting with the UAE leader, Putin expressed openness to meeting Zelensky but noted that the necessary conditions for such a meeting are not yet in place. The Kremlin has emphasized the need for extensive preparatory work before a Putin-Zelensky meeting can occur.

Meanwhile, Kiev is pushing for a meeting without a definitive agenda. Ushakov mentioned the US's suggestion of a trilateral meeting involving Putin, Zelensky, and Trump, but Moscow refrained from commenting on this possibility, urging a focus on the bilateral summit between Russia and the US.