CRUNCH SUMMIT

Trump plan for 2nd ceasefire deal meeting, Russia cautious as Kyiv fears 'divvy-up'

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

DONALD Trump rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin in Alaska last night in a bid to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine while Kyiv watched helplessly from the sidelines.

As two of the world's superpowers met in Anchorage, millions of war-weary Ukrainians feared what concessions might be struck behind closed doors.

The two leaders shook hands at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in what the White House billed as a "preliminary, exploratory" summit, but one that could set the stage for an eventual deal to end the war.

Trump greeted Putin on the steps of the Russian dictator's plane as it landed at 11am local time, shaking hands and exchanging a few words before walking together down a red carpet.

Both leaders smiled for the cameras but declined to answer questions shouted by reporters.

A US Air Force B-2 bomber thundered overhead as the two men posed for photos. Asked by a reporter if he would stop killing civilians, Putin smirked and pointed to his ear.