Putin-Trump Alaska summit's specifics on Ukraine revealed by Kremlin
The leaders of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, will meet on August 15, 2023, at the Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base in Alaska. This will mark the fourth summit between the two heads of state.
The meeting follows recent diplomatic contacts, including a meeting between Putin and Trump's Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin on August 6. The issue of Ukraine crisis resolution was discussed during that meeting.
The summit is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. local time (1930 GMT). The composition of the American delegation has been determined but not yet announced. The Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
The meeting location is symbolic, as it is near the burial site of Soviet pilots in Alaska. While Ukraine will be the main topic, the leaders are expected to address additional issues during the meeting. The Alaska meeting will address broader issues of peace and security, as well as pressing international and regional issues.
British newspaper The Telegraph reported that Trump plans to offer Putin access to rare earth elements to encourage ending the war in Ukraine. According to the report, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is evaluating economic concessions with Russia to accelerate the ceasefire process.
However, the discussions are expected to face significant hurdles. Putin has reportedly rejected unconditional ceasefires and insisted that Ukraine abandon parts of its territory, which Kyiv and NATO allies have firmly opposed. The absence of Ukrainian President Zelensky from the talks raises concerns over the legitimacy and durability of any potential agreements.
Putin is also said to have attempted to isolate Ukraine diplomatically by making economic offers to Washington to weaken Ukraine’s support from Europe and the U.S. Following their meeting, Putin and Trump will give a joint press conference to summarize the results of the negotiations. This will be the first joint press conference between a U.S. and Russian leader since 2018.
Initially, the discussions between Putin and Trump will be held one-on-one, with only interpreters present. Negotiations will continue over a working breakfast, with each side having five members.
The summit in Alaska symbolizes strategic positioning by both sides amid ongoing war and diplomatic tensions. The key topics discussed in the meeting regarding the Ukraine conflict centered on efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and potential peace framework. However, the stark differences over sovereignty and territorial integrity may prove to be challenging.
[1] The New York Times [2] The Washington Post [3] The Guardian [4] BBC News [5] CNN
Read also:
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Tinubu's administration allegedly causing issues within every political party as Peter Obi's name surfaces - Obidient Movement asserts
