American presidents have been trying to manage Russian President Vladimir Putin since the beginning of this century.

There was George W. Bush, who met with Putin 28 times.

I was able to get a sense of his soul.

He's a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country.

And I appreciate it so very much the frank dialogue.

Barack Obama, he and Putin sat down together nine times.

By working together, we not only increase security and prosperity for the Russian and American people,

but also help lead the world to a better place.

Joe Biden met with Putin only once.

The bottom line is I told President Putin that we need to have some basic rules of the road

that we can all abide by.

Past American presidents had hoped to strike deals and push Russia towards a more democratic society. Instead, Russia started wars

and tried to expand its borders. The Russian president says a military operation is now underway

in eastern Ukraine. Tonight, his troops are holding firm in a corner of Ukraine known as Crimea.

The Russia-Georgia war, which erupted as a battle for a

disputed breakaway region, has fast spilled over into surrounding areas. Soon, President Trump

heads here to Alaska for his seventh meeting with Putin, and like his predecessors, he's trying

to get something out of Putin. This time, he's trying to finally

end the war with Ukraine. I think he wants to get it done. I really feel he wanted the whole thing.

I think if it weren't me, if it was somebody else, he would be not talking to anybody.

Consider this. President Trump is trying to leverage his personal relationship with Putin to strike a peace deal.

Will he be able to pull it off?

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