Salina Police discover a stolen UHaul van from Las Vegas and make a single arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Thursday, August 14th at around 8:30 am, the police department received a FLOCK alert (camera detecting a vehicle associated with a crime) about a stolen UHaul van from Las Vegas, NV that entered the city.

Shortly after the alert, officers located the UHaul in the 100 block of N. Broadway. Officers then conducted a traffic stop and found three people occupying the van.&nbsp;

Officers arrested 51-year old Larry Paul from Denver, CO. During the arrest, authorities found meth amphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Paul was accused for Felony possession of stolen property, possession of meth&nbsp;amphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

SPD stated the other two occupants in the van were women, but were not arrested.

The value of the UHaul was valued at $35,000.

Stolen UHaul from Las Vegas found by Salina PD

OCCK Transportation is pleased to announce the continuation of the Fall Pass for the CityGo “Get On &amp; Go” program for Salina area youth ages 7-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Youth ages 7-18 will be able to purchase a Get On &amp; Go Fall Youth Bus Pass for $10.&nbsp; The pass will be good for unlimited rides on Salina CityGo from September 1 to November 30.&nbsp;

Youth must show the drivers their “Get On &amp; Go” pass when they board the buses.&nbsp; Face masks and social distancing policies will be followed as needed.

The Get On &amp; Go Fall Bus Pass is available for purchase online on August 15, 2025, at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>&nbsp;and Buy A Pass, with options for pick up.&nbsp;

They will also be available at the OCCK Transportation office, 340 N. Santa Fe, starting August 15, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Fall Pass will also be available digitally in the Token Transit app.&nbsp; All OCCK Transportation services have a digital fare option.

“We’re proud to keep growing the Get On &amp; Go program,” said Trell Grinter, Transportation Director for OCCK, Inc.&nbsp; “It’s giving kids more than just a ride – it’s helping them explore Salina, stay active in the community, and build confidence and independence through public transit.”&nbsp;

For more information call OCCK Transportation at (785) 826-1583 or go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>.

Fall pass for the CityGo “Get On & Go” program now available for purchase

Here is the preview for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA Salina for&nbsp;August 16th:

9:00 am - Miranda Bachman, Kansas Impact Coalition

- "Giving Campaign" for Community Pop-Up Health event with the Salina Family Healthcare Center

9:30 am - Josh Gardner, GM Sky Trampoline, The Back Alley &amp; Salina Smash

10:00 am - Linda Henderson, Rolling Hills Zoo

10:30 am - Henry Diehl, Immanuel Lutheran Church

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show preview, August 16

A fire destroys skid steer, valued over $74,000 in rural Saline County.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 14th at around 3:00 pm, a skid steer was reportedly on fire on 4396 N. Woodward Rd.&nbsp;

The Sheriff's Office stated 27-year old, Trevor Karber of Gypsum was using the skid steer to load round bales on a trailer when it caught on fire.

A Sheriff deputy and Saline County Rural Fire District 5 arrived to the scene and extinguished the fire. 

Loss of value was determined to be $74,500.&nbsp;

Skid steer valued over $74,000 destroyed after fire in rural Saline County

The Saline County Sheriff's Office have notified the public and are seeking tips regarding a stolen UTV and trailer.

According to the&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, February 16th deputies learned that an unknown suspect(s) had stolen a red 2009 Titan 26-foot Gooseneck Livestock Trailer and a 2011 Polaris Ranger 800.&nbsp;

The Sheriff's Office stated the trailer and UTV were stolen from the 7000 block of S. Solomon Rd. 

It was determined sometime between&nbsp;Friday, February 7th and the date of the report on Feb. 16, that the crime happened.

Total estimated loss is approximately $15,000.

If you have any information concerning who attempted to commit this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="http://www.pd.salina.org">www.pd.salina.org</a> and follow Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip.

You may receive a cash reward of up to $1000 and you are not required to give your name.

Sheriff's Office notify public and are seeking tips regarding a stolen UTV and trailer

High temperatures and breezy winds are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this weekend and into Monday, August 18.&nbsp;

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices are expected to reach as high as 105 in Central Kansas this weekend. Breezy conditions are anticipated to occur as well.

Hot and dry weather will remain through the weekend before chances rain return moving into next week on Monday.

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

High temps returning this weekend with breezy conditions, rain expected on Monday  

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 15 - August 17

OTTAWA COUNTY - The Ottawa County Sheriff has announced to the public to be aware of ongoing search for a suspect who fled from authorities.

According to Ottawa County Sheriff, Russell Thornton on Wednesday,&nbsp;August 13&nbsp; at around 11:30 pm, a vehicle pursuit led by The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) entered into Ottawa County.

Ottawa County deputies then assisted the chase when the suspect into the county and eventually ended at Frontier Road West of 180th road, which is about two miles from the city of Bennington. The suspect's vehicle failed to cross a bridge and ended up wrecking. The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the creek. 

Thornton stated that law enforcement used a drone and a K9 to track the suspect in the creek. 

However, they were unable to locate the suspect.

Ottawa County deputies stayed around the area throughout the night and morning checking the surrounding area. Several officers from the KHP assisted Ottawa County deputies and continued the search on Thursday morning.

The suspect is unknown, but Thornton said they are possibly looking for a male Hispanic or Asian with black and facial hair, wearing a white t-shirt and that he may be barefoot.&nbsp;

Both agencies are asking the public to be alert, call in any unusual activity or people that are unfamiliar to the area. Do not approach, but instead notify law enforcement and call 9-1-1.

Ottawa County deputies searching for suspect after vehicle pusuit

Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday over $32.5 million in state grants to maintain and enhance services for adult and child survivors of crime. 

The state general funds were granted to nonprofit organizations providing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence as well as child abuse and neglect.&nbsp;

“I support this use of state funds to ensure survivors of crime receive the services they need from critical organizations,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Crime is not just a safety issue – it’s a public health and a quality-of-life issue. We must do our part to build a safer and more resilient Kansas together.”&nbsp;

Three categories of organizations received awards: organizations providing services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Children’s Advocacy Centers, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs.&nbsp;

The 2026 grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services provide critical funding to organizations offering support services, outreach, and training for those serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Funding also supports vital organizational needs including transportation, shelter maintenance and improvements, and sustaining adequate staffing levels. 25 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$26,493,242.&nbsp;

Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused programs that bring together professionals to investigate and respond to child abuse. The grant program supports hiring and training staff to provide child-sensitive forensic interviews, advocacy for victims and non-offending caregivers, and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to improve outcomes and services across systems. 20 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$4,836,840.&nbsp;

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs recruit and train volunteers to advocate in court for abused and neglected children. These funds support staffing and volunteer training to help ensure judges have the information needed to make informed decisions for each child. 21 organizations received grants totaling&nbsp;$1,242,574.&nbsp;

The county, organization name, and grant award for each awardee are below:&nbsp;

SGF for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Grant Awards by County

Children's Advocacy Centers Grant Awards by County

Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs Grant Awards by County

DVACK & CAPS of Salina among statewide nonprofits receiving grants to enhance its services

The Saline County Sheriff's Office have made an arrest from the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/40a222d9-891c-48f4-8d5a-7152beb5d5d0">Most Wanted for August.</a>

According to the Sheriff's Office Most Wanted suspect, Gauge Peterson was arrested. Peterson&nbsp;was taken into custody for the following requested charges:

Flee or Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement Officer.

View&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/40a222d9-891c-48f4-8d5a-7152beb5d5d0">Saline County's Most Wanted list for August 2025</a>

Sheriff's announce arrest made from Saline County Most Wanted list

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 13 - August 15

After isolated scattered storms until Wednesday, heat indices are expected to reach back up to the 100's from Thursday and into the weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will remain possible areawide on Tuesday and over southeast Kansas till Wednesday. 

A return to triple digit heat indices is expected by Thursday and persisting through at least the weekend.

Central Kansas Weather Forecast: August 12 - August 16

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 11 - August 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 8 - August 10

Temperatures are ramping back up after a dropdown last week in Central Kansas.

According the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices throughout the Central Kansas region are expected to reach over 100 degrees. 

Areas such as Salina, Russell, Hutchinson, Wichita, Harper and Winfield are under a heat advisory for Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8. 

Additional areas include Emporia, Eureka, Chanute and Coffeyville for Friday

US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) advises everyone to take precaution during these times.

Temperatures ramping back up in Central Kansas with heat indices over 100

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 6 - August 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 4 - August 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 1 - August 3

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas home daycare provider who admitted to abuse of a child will learn her fate Friday.

Judge Quinten Pittman will sentence 29-year-old Ija Hall, the ower of His Loving Hands Home Childcare, 357 N. Erie in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July Hall pleaded guilty to&nbsp;child abuse.&nbsp; In June she told the court she would face a jury but changed her mind.

In September of 2024, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment suspended Hall's day care&nbsp; license after an incident involving a child she was fostering. A protective order was issued during her first court appearance, according to the district attorney's office. She was not to have contact with the victim in the case or any child under the age of 12.

One of her foster children was burned in a bathtub, according to the KDHE. A second foster child had bruises and missing teeth.

Hall is not in custody after meeting the requirement of a $25,000 bond. 

Sentencing Day for Kan. daycare provider who abused children in her care

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident that occurred just after 5p.m. Thursday in Sedgwick County.

Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Eric Slay reported, a Dodge Dart driven by&nbsp;42-year-old Tiffany M. Jones (McKinney) of Wichita was&nbsp;eastbound on 29th Street North and failed to stop at the stop sign at 135th Street W.&nbsp; A southbound&nbsp; Mitsubishi Outlander driven by a 26-year-old woman from Maize struck the Dodge.&nbsp;&nbsp;The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway into the field southeast of the intersection.

Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by EMS personnel, according to Lt. Slay.&nbsp;

EMS transported the other driver along with three child passengers (ages nine, six and four) to Wesley Hospital for&nbsp;for treatment of&nbsp; serious injuries.

Deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office crash reconstruction team responded to assist with the investigation.&nbsp; It was determined that Jones was not wearing a seatbelt, according to Lt. Slay. Impairment is not suspected.

Kan. woman killed, adult and 3 children injured in crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Wichita Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita woman.

The whereabouts of 78-year-old Lucy Daniels are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate her, according to a media release from the KBI.

Daniels is likely driving a navy blue 2021 Chevrolet Silverado with no license plate, or possibly a temporary tag. She was last seen on Aug. 14, at approximately 10 p.m.

Daniels is a black female who is around 5 foot 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 250 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last known wearing a multi-colored nightgown and a brown head wrap. Daniels has Alzheimer’s and walks with a limp.

If you see Daniels or her vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, please call the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4111.

KBI: Silver Alert for missing Kansas woman

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police are investigating a fatal crash at Harry and Rock Road in Wichita that killed 14-year-old Jackson Nzabonimpa and still searching for the driver.

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a nearby Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in the area saw the aftermath of the accident and saw two men running from a black BMW that had crashed. After a short foot pursuit, both men were apprehended.

The preliminary investigation indicates the BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed when it hit a power pole and then a utility box. The impact forced the power pole and utility box into Nzabonimpa, who died on scene from his injuries.&nbsp;

Witnesses at the intersection identified the 19-year-old suspect Gauge Brasher, who fled as the driver. He is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. The investigation indicated that impairment and speed were likely contributing factors in the collision. Brasher was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment and later left the hospital. The passenger is a 24-year-old man who was detained and later released with no charges.&nbsp;

Wichita police are following up on leads to locate and arrest Brasher.

Wichita Police does not typically identify suspects who have not been formally charged. In this case, police believe the alleged recklessness of Brasher’s actions make him a danger to the&nbsp; community. Wichita Police Accident Follow-Up Unit (AFU) is continuing to investigate what led to this incident. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for charging.

“This was not an accident. It was a series of reckless choices,” Chief Joe Sullivan said. “When you mix extreme speed with suspected impairment, you turn a vehicle into a weapon. We will pursue full accountability for the death of this young man and his family, and the danger brought to our community.”&nbsp;

Anyone who has information on the location of Gauge Brasher is asked to call 911 immediately. To provide information related to this incident please call AFU investigators at 316-350-3685. To remain anonymous, you can submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at (316)-267-2111.

Driver in fatal Kan. hit-and-run is still hiding from police

🎥Trump discusses meeting with Putin while en route to Alaska

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl is due back in court Friday.

&nbsp;Ana Sorto Mejia, 50, of Wichita will face a preliminary hearing in&nbsp;Judge Shawn Elliott's courtroom to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to go to a trial

In April, Judge Elliott charged her with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.

After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp;

Kan. woman in accidental shooting of child is due back in court

MEADE COUNTY —A southwest Kansas community is alerting residents after a family pet died from a rattlesnake bite.

The City of Fowler was notified of a confirmed rattlesnake bite incident involving a dog in a homeowner’s fenced backyard. According to a social media report from the city, a veterinarian confirmed a rattlesnake bite killed the dog. 

The animal was primarily kept indoors and only accessed the fenced backyard when needed. "We urge all residents to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure the safety of themselves, their children, and their pets."

Veterinarian confirms rattlesnake bite killed pet at Kansas home

JOHNSON COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a restaurant fire in Overland Park.

Just after 2a.m. Thursday, crews&nbsp;battled a fire at Torreador Restaurant, 79th and Floyd, according to a social media report from Overland Park Fire Department.

&nbsp;The fire was quickly extinguished. There was smoke and fire damage to the restaurant and adjoining bookstore. There were no injuries.&nbsp;

Overland Park Consolidated Fire District #2 and Lenexa Fire responded to the scene.

Crews battle fire at Kansas restaurant

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — U.S. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-sandwich-assault-f579ab8649ae0f40d03cd4fdb58ed5e9">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is meeting face-to-face with Russian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/orthodox-christians-prayers-trump-putin-alaska-dbced54d9faa7d230d3df03405491542">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;in Alaska on Friday for a high-stakes summit that could determine not only the trajectory of the war in Ukraine but also the fate of European security.

The sit-down offers Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">bring the slaughter to a close</a>, something he used to boast he could do quickly.

For Putin, a summit with Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains, block Kyiv’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit.

There are significant risks for Trump. By bringing Putin onto U.S. soil, the president is giving Russia's leader the validation he desires after his ostracization following his invasion of Ukraine 3 1/2 years ago. The exclusion of Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://volodymyr%20zelenskyy/">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;from the summit also deals a heavy blow to the West’s policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and invites the possibility that Trump could agree to a deal that Ukraine does not want.

Any success is far from assured, especially as Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, which were conditions rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.

Trump on Thursday said there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but also floated the idea that if the meeting succeeds he could bring Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting, a possibility that Russia hasn't agreed to.

When asked in Anchorage about Trump's estimate of a 25% chance of failure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Russia “never plans ahead.”

"We know that we have arguments, a clear, understandable position. We will state it,” he said in footage posted to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel.

Trump said in a Fox News radio interview Thursday that he didn't know if they would get “an immediate ceasefire” but he wanted a broad peace deal done quickly. That seemingly echoes Putin’s longtime argument that Russia favors a comprehensive deal to end the fighting, reflecting its demands, not a temporary halt to hostilities.

The Kremlin said Trump and Putin will first sit down for a one-on-one discussion, followed by the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over “a working breakfast.” They are then expected to hold a joint press conference.

Trump has offered shifting explanations for his meeting goals

In the days leading up to the summit, set for a military base near Anchorage, Trump described it as “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-strike-575aa4ce590256d50a9d73911f681269">really a feel-out meeting</a>.” But he's also warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-8-13-2025">“very severe consequences”</a>&nbsp;for Russia if Putin doesn't agree to end the war and said that though Putin might bully other leaders, “He’s not going to mess around with me.”

Trump’s repeated suggestions that a deal would likely involve “some swapping of territories” — which disappointed Ukraine and European allies — along with his controversial history with Putin have some skeptical about what kind of agreement can be reached.

Ian Kelly, a retired career foreign service officer who served as the U.S. ambassador to Georgia during the Obama and first Trump administrations, said he sees “no upside for the U.S., only an upside for Putin.”

“The best that can happen is nothing, and the worst that can happen is that Putin entices Trump into putting more pressure on Zelenskyy,” Kelly said.

George Beebe, the former director of the CIA’s Russia analysis team who is now affiliated with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said there’s a serious risk of blown expectations or misunderstandings for a high-level summit pulled together so quickly.

“That said, I doubt President Trump would be going into a meeting like this unless there had been enough work done behind the scenes for him to feel that there is a decent chance that something concrete will come out of it,” Beebe said.

Zelenskyy has time and again cast doubts on Putin's willingness to negotiate in good faith. His European allies, who’ve held increasingly urgent meetings with U.S. leaders over the past week, have stressed the need for Ukraine to be involved in any peace talks.

Political commentators in Moscow, meanwhile, have relished that the summit leaves Ukraine and its European allies on the sidelines.

Dmitry Suslov, a pro-Kremlin voice, expressed hope that the summit will “deepen a trans-Atlantic rift and weaken Europe’s position as the toughest enemy of Russia.”

The summit could have far-reaching implications

On his way to Anchorage Thursday, Putin arrived in Magadan in Russia’s Far East, according to Russian state news agency Interfax.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the visit would include meetings with the regional governor and stops at several key sites, including a stop to lay flowers at a WWII-era memorial honoring Soviet-American aviation cooperation.

Foreign governments will be watching closely to see how Trump reacts to Putin, likely gauging what the interaction might mean for their own dealings with the U.S. president, who has eschewed traditional diplomacy for his own transactional approach to relationships.

The meeting comes as the war has caused heavy losses on both sides and drained resources.

Ukraine has held on far longer than some initially expected since the February 2022 invasion, but it is straining to hold off Russia’s much larger army, grappling with bombardments of its cities and fighting for every inch on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line.

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, said U.S. antagonists like China, Iran and North Korea will be paying attention to Trump's posture to see “whether or not the threats that he continues to make against Putin are indeed credible.”

“Or, if has been the past track record, he continues to back down and look for ways to wiggle out of the kind of threats and pressure he has promised to apply,” said Kendall-Taylor, who is also a former senior intelligence officer.

While some have objected to the location of the summit, Trump has said he thought it was “very respectful” of Putin to come to the U.S. instead of a meeting in Russia.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin Moscow-based analyst, observed that the choice of Alaska as the summit’s venue “underlined the distancing from Europe and Ukraine.”

Being on a military base allows the leaders to avoid protests and meet more securely, but the location carries its own significance because of its history and location.

Alaska, which the U.S. purchased from Russia in 1867, is separated from Russia at its closest point by just 3 miles (less than 5 kilometers) and the international date line.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It continues to play a role today, as planes from the base still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into U.S. airspace.

Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.

LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;on Thursday praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion, as the two leaders prepared for a pivotal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-elmendorf-alaska-9683f1a0c35ab8a264ca83eac33566dc">U.S.–Russia summit</a>&nbsp;Friday in Alaska.-----

Following a meeting Thursday with top government officials on the summit, Putin said in a short video released by the Kremlin that the Trump administration was making “quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities” and to “reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved.”

Putin also suggested that “long-term conditions of peace between our countries, and in Europe, and in the world as a whole,” could be reached under an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear arms control.

In Washington, Trump said there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but he also floated the idea that, if the meeting succeeds, he could bring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting.

In a radio interview with Fox News, Trump also said he might be willing to stay in Alaska longer, depending on what happens with Putin.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy and other European leaders worked to ensure their interests are taken into account when Trump and Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-elmendorf-alaska-9683f1a0c35ab8a264ca83eac33566dc">meet in Anchorage</a>.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy to London on Thursday in a show of British support for Ukraine a day before the critical Trump-Putin meeting. The two embraced warmly outside Starmer’s offices at 10 Downing Street without making any comments, and Zelenskyy departed about an hour later.

Zelenskyy’s trip to the British capital came a day after he took part in virtual meetings from Berlin with Trump and the leaders of several European countries. Those leaders said that Trump had assured them that he would make a priority of trying to achieve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-89aa0cf9123ca8a55eec9dd8713a4e7b">a ceasefire in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;when he meets with Putin.

Speaking after the meetings to reporters, Trump warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-berlin-talks-trump-zelenskyy-merz-9f613b905f81af71920f754da503657a">“very severe consequences” for Russia</a>&nbsp;if Putin doesn’t agree to stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">the war against Ukraine</a>&nbsp;after Friday’s meeting.

While some European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, praised Wednesday’s video conference with Trump as constructive, uncertainty remained over how the U.S. leader — whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-putin-war-de1ed95131f653e08d420dde6f0954f9">rhetoric toward both Zelenskyy and Putin</a>&nbsp;has evolved dramatically since retaking office this year — would conduct negotiations in the absence of any other interested parties.

Both Zelenskyy and the Europeans have worried that the bilateral U.S.-Russia summit would leave them and their interests sidelined, and that any conclusions could favor Moscow and leave Ukraine and Europe’s future security in jeopardy.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov tamped down expectations for any breakthroughs from the Friday summit, saying there were no plans to sign documents and that it would be a “big mistake” to predict the results of the negotiations, according to Russian news outlet Interfax.

The Kremlin on Thursday said the meeting between Trump and Putin would begin at 11:30 a.m. local time. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that Trump and Putin will first sit down for a one-on-one meeting followed by a meeting between the two delegations. Then talks will continue over “a working breakfast.” A joint news conference will follow.

Trump contradicted the Kremlin, saying that no decisions have been made about holding a news conference with Putin. The uncertainty reflects just how much about the summit, including its schedule, remains unsettled.

Starmer said Wednesday that the Alaska summit could be a path to a ceasefire in Ukraine, but he also alluded to European concerns that Trump may strike a deal that forces Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. He warned that Western allies must be prepared to step up pressure on Russia if necessary.

During a call Wednesday among leaders of countries involved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-force-coalition-britain-france-nato-4c87525361eb3cf1c860075d4519f6d8">“coalition of the willing”</a>&nbsp;— those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv — Starmer stressed that any ceasefire deal must protect the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine.

“International borders cannot be, and must not be changed by force,’’ he said.

Kyiv has long insisted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-rubio-munich-security-conference-ukraine-ab2d7379aaf6ca224cc51e1f9ade9edf">safeguards against future Russian attacks</a>&nbsp;provided by its Western allies would be a precondition for achieving a durable end to the fighting. Yet many Western governments have been hesitant to commit military personnel.

Countries in the coalition, which includes France and the U.K., have been trying for months to secure U.S. security backing, should it be required. Following Wednesday's virtual meetings, Macron said Trump told the assembled leaders that while NATO must not be part of future security guarantees, “the United States and all the parties involved should take part.”

“It’s a very important clarification that we have received,” Macron said.

Trump did not reference any U.S. security commitments during his comments to reporters on Wednesday.

With another high-level meeting on their country's future on the horizon, some Ukrainians expressed skepticism about the summit's prospects.

Oleksandra Kozlova, 39, who works at a digital agency in Kyiv, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she believes Ukrainians “have already lost hope” that meaningful progress can be made toward ending the war.

“I don’t think this round will be decisive,” she said. "There have already been enough meetings and negotiations promising us, ordinary people, that something will be resolved, that things will get better, that the war will end. Unfortunately, this has not happened, so personally I don’t see any changes coming.”

Anton Vyshniak, a car salesman in Kyiv, said Ukraine's priority now should be saving the lives of its military service members, even at the expense of territorial concessions.

“At the moment, the most important thing is to preserve the lives of male and female military personnel. After all, there are not many human resources left," he said. "Borders are borders, but human lives are priceless.”

Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukraine had secured the release of 84 people from Russian captivity, including both soldiers and civilians. Those freed included people held by Russia since 2014, 2016 and 2017, as well as soldiers who had defended the now Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

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