Post by : Meena Ariff

On August 15, US President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska for a long meeting that lasted nearly three hours. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the war in Ukraine and look for possible ways to stop the fighting.

After the meeting, Trump gave an interview where he advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal with Russia. Trump described the discussions with Putin as “very productive,” even though no final agreement was reached.

Trump’s Message to Zelensky

Speaking after the summit, Trump said clearly:

“Zelensky has to make a deal. Russia is a very big power. They have strong soldiers. Now it’s up to Zelensky to get it done.”

He added that Zelensky and Putin were planning to set up a direct meeting to discuss a possible ceasefire. Trump also said he would be ready to join such a meeting if both sides wanted him there.

Trump further mentioned that European nations should take a bigger role in supporting peace efforts, but in the end, it was mainly up to Ukraine’s president to decide.

Talks About Oil and Tariffs

During the interview, Trump was asked about whether he would impose tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. He replied that, for now, he did not need to think about that because of the day’s discussions. However, he admitted he might have to consider it again in two or three weeks.

Trump gave the meeting a “10 out of 10” score, saying there was progress on some points, although other big issues remained unsolved.

Putin’s Reaction to the Meeting

Putin also made a short statement after the summit. He said he hoped Ukraine and European capitals would accept the outcome of the talks in a constructive way. He warned against attempts to block progress through provocations or secret maneuvers.

The Russian leader said Russia was “sincerely interested” in ending the war, but stressed that Moscow’s security concerns had to be taken seriously. He argued that Russia faced fundamental threats from events in Ukraine and called for a fair balance of security in Europe and across the world.

Putin added that the agreements made in Alaska could become the foundation for not only solving the Ukraine conflict but also improving US-Russia relations. He spoke about opportunities for cooperation in energy, technology, space, and the Arctic.

Mixed Reactions

While Trump and Putin were holding talks, the war in Ukraine continued with new air raid alerts in the east. Russian officials said Ukrainian drones struck parts of their territory, while Ukrainian regions reported more missile attacks.

Ukraine has not officially reacted to the summit. But opposition lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on social media that “Putin has bought himself more time” and that no ceasefire or de-escalation had been agreed upon.

European leaders also had doubts. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky welcomed Trump’s efforts but said Putin’s actions on the battlefield showed he was not serious about peace. “If Putin were serious about negotiations, he would not be attacking Ukraine all day today,” he stated.

Kremlin’s View and Future Meeting

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, later described the conversation between Trump and Putin as very positive. He said it allowed both sides to continue searching for ways toward a settlement, although he did not give details of what kind of settlement.

Putin even invited Trump to Moscow for the next round of talks. “Next time in Moscow,” Putin said in English. Trump responded by saying he might consider it, though he admitted he could face criticism for visiting Russia.

Trump’s Goal: A Ceasefire

The Alaska summit was the first meeting between Trump and Putin since 2019. Behind them was a backdrop with the words “Pursuing Peace.”

Trump said his main goal was to stop the fighting quickly and arrange a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin. He stressed he was not there to negotiate for Ukraine but to help bring the two sides together.

“I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I want the killing to stop,” Trump said as he boarded his plane after the talks.

Zelensky’s Concerns

Ukrainian President Zelensky was not invited to the Alaska summit. He and European allies had been worried that Trump might push for a deal that would freeze the conflict and give Russia control over parts of Ukraine.

Trump tried to ease these fears by saying it would be up to Ukraine to decide on any territorial issues. He promised to update Zelensky and NATO leaders soon about the results of his meeting with Putin.

Zelensky later commented that the Alaska summit should open the way for “just peace” and three-way talks involving him, but he pointed out that Russia was still carrying out deadly strikes, including a missile attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The Red Carpet Welcome

When Putin arrived in Alaska, Trump welcomed him warmly on a red carpet at the airbase. They shook hands, smiled, and even touched each other’s arms before leaving in Trump’s limousine for the meeting site.

For Trump, a ceasefire would not only bring peace to Europe but also strengthen his image as a global peacemaker, something he hopes will earn him recognition such as the Nobel Peace Prize.

For Putin, the meeting was already a victory. It showed that Russia was not isolated despite years of Western sanctions and political pressure. By sitting next to the US president, Putin could claim that Moscow was back at the center of world diplomacy.

The War’s Heavy Cost

The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has already caused terrible destruction. Thousands of civilians have died, most of them Ukrainians. Millions have been displaced from their homes.

A conservative estimate from Trump’s envoy to Ukraine suggested that around 1.2 million people have been killed or injured on both sides combined.

Leaders Present at the Summit

Along with Trump and Putin, several top officials joined the Alaska meeting. From the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, were present. From Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and top aide Yury Ushakov attended.

Trump once said he could end the war within 24 hours, but he has since admitted that the task is much harder than he expected. Still, he sees arranging a second meeting that includes Zelensky as the next important step.

Putin, meanwhile, continues to face an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children. Russia denies the charges and rejects the court’s authority.