Two minutes — that’s how long President Trump says it will take him to figure out whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is serious about finding a way to end his war with Ukraine.

Details are still scarce — but Putin and Trump are set to meet Friday in Alaska.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasn’t invited.

What does Trump hope to achieve, and can he get it from Putin?  Ambassador John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser in his first term, was with Trump the last time Trump met with Putin. Bolton weighs in.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at [email protected].

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy