Trump says he hopes for constructive meeting with Putin in Alaska

WASHINGTON. Aug 12 (Interfax) - U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his hope that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday will be constructive.

"I think we'll have constructive conversations," Trump told journalists at the White House on Monday.

He is hoping to tell the Russian leader at the meeting that hostilities in Ukraine should be ended, he said.

"I am going to tell him he has got to end this war," Trump said. In his view, Putin is "not going to mess with me," Trump said.

'FEELING OUT', HOPE FOR CEASEFIRE AND DEAL

This will be a meeting to "feel out" Putin's position, Trump said.

He said he believes that Putin would like to resolve the Ukraine issue.

Trump said that after the talks, he would inform his European allies and the Ukrainian leadership of their outcomes.

Trump said he hoped to work out a Ukraine deal that would be best for both sides.

"I'd like to see the best deal that could be made for both parties," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.

He reiterated that he expected the Ukrainian crisis settlement process to address the issue of "swapping" territories.

Trump said he would like to see a ceasefire between the conflict sides as soon as possible as part of the Ukraine settlement process.

"I'd like to see a cease fire very, very quickly, very quick," Trump said.

ZELENSKY WON'T BE PRESENT AT ALASKA MEETING

Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky will not participate in Trump's meeting with Putin, Trump said.

"He wasn't a part of it. I would say he could go, but he has been to a lot of meetings. You know, he has been there for three and a half years. Nothing happened," Trump told the press conference, when asked whether Zelensky would be present at the Russia-U.S. summit meeting.

However, the final stage in the Ukrainian crisis settlement process should be a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, Trump said.

"Ultimately, I'm going to put the two of them in a room," Trump told journalists at the White House on Monday.

In a scenario like this, "it'll get solved," he said.

TRUMP SAYS READY BOTH FOR GOOD AND BAD OUTCOME OF ALASKA SUMMIT

Trump said he would be able to assess Russian President Vladimir Putin's position and understand whether the Ukrainian conflict can be resolved diplomatically after their meeting.

"I am going to meet President Putin and going to see what he has in mind, and if it's a fair deal I'll reveal it to the European Union leaders and to the NATO leaders and also to President Zelensky [...]. I may say, 'lots of luck, keep fighting, ' or I may say, 'we can make a deal'," Trump told the press conference, noting he would like the best possible deal for both sides.

Trump said he is ready both for a positive outcome of his talks with Putin and a negative one.

"It'll be good, but it might be bad," Trump said.

NORMAL TRADE WITH RUSSIA POSSIBLE

Trump sees an opportunity in the normalization of trade relations with Russia.

"I do," Trump told reporters when asked if he considered normal trade relations between the two countries to be possible.

"Russia has a very valuable piece of land," Trump said.