In an unprecedented meeting that lasted over three hours, US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin met face-to-face for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine. The meeting, held at the "Elmendorf" military base in Alaska, was the first personal contact between the two heads of state since 2019.
After lengthy talks in a "three-on-three" format, the two presidents gave a joint press conference, which began shortly after 01:50 Bulgarian time. The choice of Alaska as the meeting place was not accidental - Putin emphasized the symbolic significance of the region, where only the Bering Strait separates American and Russian territory.
Although Putin described the talks as "very productive", and Trump spoke of "huge progress", no concrete deal on the Ukrainian issue was reached. Trump stated: "We're not there yet, but we have a great chance of achieving it", referring to progress on the Ukraine issue.
Criticisms and Questions
It is important to note that this meeting takes place against the backdrop of ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the Kremlin's violation of international law. Critics might perceive this meeting as an attempt to legitimize Putin's actions and undermine international efforts to isolate Russia.
Trump announced that he would inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders about the content of his talks with Putin. This raises questions about the transparency of the negotiations and the potential impact on US allied relations.
Controversial Moments and Future Plans
During the press conference, Trump made a controversial statement, recalling claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. This comment underscores the complex relations between the two countries and raises questions about the independence of American foreign policy towards Russia.
Putin expressed hope that the meeting would be a starting point not only towards achieving peace in Ukraine but also towards strengthening bilateral relations between Russia and the US. These words should be viewed critically, given Russia's ongoing actions that undermine international order and stability in the region.
The meeting concluded with an invitation from Putin for a next meeting in Moscow - a proposal that Trump accepted with some hesitation, acknowledging that it "would bring him a lot of problems". This exchange illustrates the complexity of the relationship between the two leaders and the potential domestic political consequences for Trump.
Conclusion
The press conference lasted about 20 minutes, with both presidents leaving the room without answering questions from journalists. This limitation of media access raises questions about the transparency of the negotiations and their content.
Although the meeting was described as a step towards improving relations between the US and Russia, serious questions remain about the effectiveness of this approach in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and restoring the international order violated by Russia's actions.