Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s high-stakes summit in Alaska dominates Saturday’s papers. “Ukraine’s fate in their hands” says the Daily Mail as it reports that Trump wants a “rapid” ceasefire and the two leaders are expected to “slog it out for at lease six to seven hours” in their meeting.
The Daily Telegraph leads with a photograph of the pair’s friendly handshake after arriving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The paper says the UK is poised to put boots on the ground in Ukraine “within a week” of a ceasefire being declared to help rebuild Kyiv’s armed forces.
“Peace in their hands” echoes the Times’ headline. The paper says the pair’s meeting is the first between American and Russian leaders on US soil for a decade. The Times also describes Putin choosing to ride in Trump’s armoured vehicle – dubbed the Beast – so that they could “share private words” without aides or translators.
“Time for peace” says the Daily Star. The paper fills its front page with the two leaders’ greeting in Alaska and a picture of Volodymyr Zelensky floating between them. The Ukrainian president is not at the summit to discuss a possible ceasefire.
Satellite images suggest Putin is preparing to test an “invincible” nuclear missile, reports the i Paper. It says the Russian leader is making a “show of strength” as he enters “crunch time” talks with Trump.
“High Stakes!” declares the Guardian as it spotlights a picture of Trump boarding Air Force One on his way to Alaska. The paper also reports that the UK’s human rights watchdog has written a letter to the government and police over its “heavy-handed” approach to Gaza protests. The Guardian says the Equality and Human Rights Commission warns that disproportionate policing “undermines confidence in our human rights protections”.
The Daily Mirror highlights 80 years on from VJ Day against the backdrop of Trump and Putin’s meeting. “Praying for peace” is the paper’s headline as it features a message from a 105-year-old VJ veteran: “We must never forget”.
“Trump hands Putin chance to make peace” is the Daily Express take on the Alaska summit. Also looming large, the paper says campaigners are warning of rising fears that more of the UK’s “beloved” post offices will be shut down. The paper announces it is launching a Save Our Post Offices campaign to protect the “vital network”.
Ukrainians have rallied in front of the US embassy in Kyiv urging the US “not to yield” land to Russia, according to the Financial Times. Elsewhere, the paper says Chancellor Rachel Reeves is “on the hunt” for tax reforms in an effort to boost growth amid fears at least £10bn could be “wiped off” the government’s fiscal plan.
Finally, the Sun splashes on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ “throne sweet home”. The paper says the royal couple are moving into a new “forever home” to build happy memories after “three tough years”.
