President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently met in Helsinki, Finland to discuss ending the ongoing Ukraine war. This meeting, which took place on July 16th, 2018, sparked hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, it seems that the talks have not gone as planned, as Trump has now announced that he will be hosting Putin in Alaska this Friday to continue discussions on the matter.
This upcoming meeting between the two leaders has caused quite a stir, especially since it is taking place in the United States, rather than on neutral ground as previously expected. This decision has raised concerns that Trump may prioritize Putin’s demands over the interests of Ukraine and its people.
It is important to remember that Russia is responsible for starting the war in Ukraine and currently occupies 20% of the country’s territory. Despite this, Trump has already hinted at the possibility of a land swap in exchange for peace, seemingly disregarding Russia’s role in the conflict.
Furthermore, the fact that this meeting will take place in Alaska, a US state that shares a border with Russia, has caused even more controversy. This decision has been met with celebration in Russia, as it gives the impression that Trump is giving Putin the upper hand by allowing him to come to the US rather than meeting on neutral territory. This move also allows Putin to bypass an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, as he does not have to fly over hostile countries that may try to apprehend him.
It is worth noting that the US does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, so Putin will not risk arrest while in the States. However, this move by Trump seems to contradict the values and principles that the US usually stands for, as it appears to be giving Putin special treatment and allowing him to avoid accountability for his actions.
This will be Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade, with his last trip to the States occurring during Barack Obama’s presidency. It is a small victory for Trump to have convinced Putin to come to him on his own territory, but it also raises concerns about the motives behind this meeting.
The choice of Alaska as the meeting place also holds historical significance. The state was originally part of Russian territory before it was sold to the US in the 19th century. Even a Russian negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev, who attended a recent meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff, referred to Alaska as “a Russian-born American,” further emphasizing the ties between the two nations. This sentiment has also been echoed by Russian nationalists who have repeatedly called for the return of Alaska to Russia.
In fact, Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and close ally of Putin, stated in January 2024 that the US should return Alaska to Russia. This statement not only shows the desires of Russian nationalists but also highlights the boldness of Russian officials in making such statements.
It is clear that this meeting between Trump and Putin has many implications and raises concerns about the future of the Ukraine conflict. The fact that no one from Europe, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been invited to attend only adds to the unease surrounding the talks.
In the end, it is crucial that the interests of Ukraine and its people are not overlooked in these discussions. The US must stand firm in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and not allow Putin to dictate the terms of any potential peace deal.
It is time for the international community to come together and put an end to this ongoing conflict. This meeting between Trump and Putin should be used as an opportunity to push for a peaceful resolution that takes into account the interests and well-being of all parties involved. The world will be watching closely to see how this meeting unfolds and what decisions are made. Let us hope that it leads to a positive outcome that brings about long-lasting peace for Ukraine.
