Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright.
Preparations are underway for Friday's SNAP summit meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two leaders have agreed to meet in Alaska as Trump seeks to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
But as NPR's Charles Maines reports from Moscow, much is still unknown.
It's unclear what concessions Putin will bring from across the Bering Strait.
Publicly, the Russian leader insists peace hinges on an end to NATO expansion,
Ukraine's disarmament, and ceding land claimed but not always controlled by Russian forces.
Trump is on record saying a peace deal may involve a swapping of territories.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is not expected to be part of Friday's talks.
Yet in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Vice President J.D.
Vance suggested a meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky was just a matter of time.
of time.
Meanwhile,
a coalition of European leaders issued a weekend statement in support of Ukraine and rejecting any concessions negotiated behind Kiev's back.
Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending his plans to launch a new military offensive against Gaza,
despite opposition in Israel and internationally.
He detailed the plan to take over Gaza City in the north and refugee camps in central Gaza at a news conference Sunday.
Australia says it will formally recognize the Palestinian state at the 80th UN General Assembly next month.
Christina Kukula reports it follows similar pledges from Canada, France and Britain.