Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a three-hour summit in Alaska, reporting progress on efforts to resolve the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though no immediate ceasefire was agreed upon. Speaking after the meeting, Trump emphasized that any agreement would require the approval of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “It’s not a done deal at all,” Trump said, adding that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky would be crucial for advancing a peace deal.
Trump described the talks as productive, noting that “many points were negotiated on behalf of Ukraine” and that there was a good chance of reaching a resolution, though some key issues remained unresolved. Putin expressed optimism, stating, “I have every reason to believe that, moving along this path, we can reach the end of the conflict in Ukraine sooner rather than later.” Both leaders suggested follow-up meetings, with Putin proposing Moscow as a potential location.
Key points of discussion reportedly included territorial arrangements, potential land swaps, and security guarantees for Ukraine from the U.S. and European allies. Trump expressed support for deploying troops to ensure Ukrainian security but ruled out using NATO forces, while Putin appeared receptive to security guarantees. British officials also indicated readiness to provide troop support under a ceasefire agreement.
The summit deviated from the planned multi-phase schedule. While the initial phase with key officials took place, a private meeting and a planned luncheon discussing trade, investment, and nuclear arms control were skipped. Despite this, Putin highlighted the potential for renewed U.S.-Russia economic cooperation, including trade, high-tech, and space exploration, noting that bilateral trade had grown 20% during Trump’s presidency.
The Alaska summit began with a formal welcome, featuring synchronized landings of the U.S. and Russian presidential aircraft, a handshake on the red carpet, and a flyover of four F-35 jets and a B-2 Spirit bomber. Both leaders projected cautious optimism, framing the talks as a potential step toward ending hostilities in Ukraine while exploring avenues for pragmatic economic engagement between their countries.
Recent Random Post:
