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Putin's secret goals with Trump: No peace in Ukraine
Find out what Putin really wants from Trump and why the Alaska summit goes far beyond the war in Ukraine. Insights into Putin's strategy and the geopolitical implications.
Putin's secret goals with Trump: No peace in Ukraine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska's participation in an important summit between the leaders of the United States and Russia was unexpected for many. But the remote state is now becoming the setting for what could be one of the most momentous meetings in the presidencies of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
The meaning of the summit
This view is also shared by numerous propagandistic voices from Moscow, who are already optimistic about the benefits of this eagerly awaited meeting. This summit meeting is seen as a great success, especially for Putin.
The fact that a summit with the President of the United States is taking place at all is viewed by the Kremlin as a triumphant victory. Alexei Kots, a prominent military blogger, expressed optimism, emphasizing that the Alaska meeting “has the potential to be historic.”
Alaska as a setting and its historical significance
Alaska, once a remote colony of the Russian Empire, was sold to the United States in 1867 for just $7.2 million - an amount now considered very small. The feeling of having been cheated by America of a significant part of its own heritage continues to grow in Russia. A visit to “our Alaska,” as a well-known Russian presenter called it, strengthens Putin’s national agenda and his credibility in this regard.
The focus on the Ukraine war
But global attention at the summit is focused on the Ukraine war and whether Russia is willing to make concessions to end that conflict. According to the White House, Trump plans to focus on ending the war in Ukraine and leave other issues for later.
The reaction to Putin's position
Trump has said there will be “very serious consequences” if Putin does not agree to end the war. Nevertheless, there is so far little sign of a real compromise from the Kremlin, which sees itself in a supposed position of superiority on the Ukrainian war front.
A questionable peace proposal
Ahead of the summit, details have emerged of an alleged peace offer from Russia to a US representative that calls on Ukraine to accept territorial losses in the Donbass region. However, this was clearly rejected by the Ukrainian leadership. President Zelensky stated that he would not give up his country as this was the wrong way to achieve peace.
Trump and the possibility of a land-for-peace deal
Still, Trump is expected to discuss the idea of a land-for-peace deal in Alaska with Putin. This difference could provide Putin with an opportunity to portray Ukraine and the Europeans as the real obstacles to peace, which could further undermine Trump's already shaky support for the Ukrainian war effort.
Outlook for the summit and expectations
Ahead of the summit, the White House downplayed expectations of a peace agreement, stressing that the meeting should be seen as more of a "listening exercise." But that could be just what the Kremlin is looking for as it initiated the summit and may seek to relieve pressure from impending US tariffs and sanctions.
Putin sees this summit as a unique opportunity to reset relations with Washington and separate Russian interests from developments in Ukraine. In recent months, Russian government officials have highlighted the prospects for economic, technological and spatial cooperation with the United States.
If Putin achieves his goals in this summit, the “Ukraine issue” could be reduced to one of many topics of discussion between the two leaders and perhaps be considered less urgent.