Residents in Russian-controlled Melitopol - a municipality in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, southeastern Ukraine - expressed mixed hopes ahead of Putin-Trump talks in Alaska on Friday, where the leaders will discuss U.S.-Russia relations and prospects for ending the conflict in Ukraine.

The Alaska summit will be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders in six years. It comes as the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, continues with no comprehensive ceasefire in place. Russian forces hold large swathes of territory in the east and south, including Melitopol, while Ukrainian troops press counteroffensives in multiple regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is not attending the Alaska talks, has warned that agreements made without Ukraine’s participation would be meaningless. 

Alexander, a Melitopol resident, is among those hoping for a breakthrough.

“Well, I would like for some stability to appear in our life, so that there would not be these senseless human losses. So I hope that they will come to some positive decision,” he said. He added that life under Russian control had brought him “stability, positive moments and confidence in the future” he had not experienced before, citing “the size of my salary” as an example.

Sharing that sense of optimism, Anna, a Kherson native now living in Melitopol, described the meeting as “a very fateful event.” She said: “I just hope that everything will be resolved... we will forget about this whole conflict."

Roman, however, doubted the talks would succeed.

“Well, of course, they will try to reach an agreement, but the interests of Russia and America are completely diametrically different. Therefore, it is unlikely that there will be any effect from this."

Asked if Putin and Trump will be able to reach some kind of agreement, he responded "No, I don't think so."

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