Anchorage, US (AP) - Aug 15 - US President Donald Trump is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday, marking a crucial summit that could potentially influence the future of the Ukraine war and the broader landscape of European security.
For Trump, this face-to-face meeting presents an opportunity to showcase his abilities as both a master negotiator and a potential global peacemaker. His supporters have long portrayed him as a dealmaker capable of ending the conflict swiftly, a claim he has frequently touted.
The summit provides Putin with a chance to negotiate a deal that could solidify Russia's territorial gains, thwart Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO, and draw Ukraine back into Moscow's sphere of influence.
This meeting isn't without its risks for Trump. By hosting Putin on US soil, he lends legitimacy to the Russian leader, who has faced isolation following his invasion of Ukraine over three years ago.
The absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from this summit is a significant departure from the West's “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” policy, raising concerns that Trump might strike a deal misaligned with Ukraine's interests.
Though both Russia and Ukraine are situated far apart in their demands for peace, potential success remains uncertain. Putin has consistently resisted ceasing fire temporarily, demanding a halt to Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraine's mobilization—conditions rejected by both Kyiv and its Western allies.
Trump, in a Fox News radio interview on Thursday, stated the paramount importance of a subsequent meeting inclusive of Zelenskyy. He hinted that this could occur before his departure from Alaska, though Russia has not agreed to this prospect.
Trump expressed uncertainty about achieving “an immediate ceasefire,” but emphasized his desire for a swift, comprehensive peace deal. This aligns with Putin’s proposition for a broad agreement to end hostilities, reflecting Russian demands.
The Kremlin announced that Trump and Putin will initially engage in a one-on-one discussion, followed by wider meetings involving their respective delegations, concluding with talks over a “working breakfast.” A joint press conference is anticipated afterward.
Trump has delivered fluctuating remarks about his summit objectives. While describing it as “really a feel-out meeting,” he has also warned of severe consequences for Russia if Putin refuses to conclude the war. Moreover, Trump has stated that despite Putin’s intimidation tactics with other leaders, “He's not going to mess around with me.”
His remarks proposing potential “territory swaps” have disappointed Ukraine and European allies and cast skepticism on the potential outcomes of any agreement due to Trump’s contentious history with Putin.
Ian Kelly, a retired US diplomat who served as Ambassador to Georgia under Presidents Obama and Trump, expressed a view that the summit carries no benefit for the US, only for Putin. He suggested that the worst outcome could be Putin luring Trump into pressuring Zelenskyy.
George Beebe, a former CIA Russia analysis director now affiliated with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, cautioned that expectations could be mishandled given the swift arrangement of this high-level meeting. However, he speculated that behind-the-scenes groundwork would likely assure Trump of potential tangible outcomes.
Zelenskyy has persistently questioned Putin’s commitment to sincere negotiations. European allies, who have held urgent discussions with US leaders recently, reaffirmed the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace processes.
Meanwhile, pro-Kremlin commentators in Moscow have welcomed the summit's exclusion of Ukraine and European stakeholders. Dmitry Suslov, a Kremlin-aligned voice, expressed optimism that the summit might widen the trans-Atlantic divide and weaken Europe's strong stand against Russia.
European officials consulting with Trump this week reported assurances from him prioritizing efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
This summit might have extensive implications as foreign governments keenly observe Trump's interactions with Putin, considering potential impacts on their dealings with the US president, known for his distinctive transactional diplomacy style.
The continuous Ukraine war has taken a heavy toll on both sides, depleting resources. Despite enduring far longer than initially anticipated post-invasion in February 2022, Ukraine strains against Russia’s larger military, enduring city bombardments and a heavily contested front line exceeding 1,000 km.
Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director at the Center for a New American Security, emphasized that adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea will scrutinize Trump's stance to evaluate the credibility of his threats toward Putin.
The summit's location has drawn some criticism, but Trump defended the choice, regarding Putin’s visit to the US, contrary to a meeting in Russia, as “very respectful.”
Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin analyst from Moscow, noted that Alaska's selection underscores a distance from European and Ukrainian affairs. Conducting the meeting on a military base ensures security and minimizes protests, although the venue carries implications due to its historical and geographical significance.
Purchased by the US from Russia in 1867, Alaska is only three miles away from Russia at its closest, with the international date line in between. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, vital in the Cold War against the Soviet Union, continues its role today by intercepting Russian aircraft that regularly approach US airspace. (AP) SCY SCY
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