President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Anchorage, Alaska, said Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United States accompanied by “a lot of business people from Russia.” Trump welcomed the prospect of deeper commercial ties but stressed that no deals would proceed “until we get the war settled,” referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump described Putin as “a smart guy” with whom he shares a “good respect level,” adding that he expects “something is going to come of” the planned engagement in Alaska. He did not outline a timetable or negotiating framework, but his remarks suggest any expansion of U.S.–Russian economic cooperation will hinge on a resolution to the war.