Location matters, former real estate mogul US President Donald Trump said. Moments later he announced Alaska, a place sold by Russia to the United States 158 years ago for $7.2 million, would be where Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to sell his land deal of the century,

Trump's statement came as Ukrainian soldiers express little hope for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war.

Trump said the two leaders will meet next Friday. It remains unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be involved with the high-stakes summit.