A journalist’s question to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska elicited a gesture in response. Putin’s plane landed at Elmendorf-Richardson Airbase. After walking a long red carpet, Putin met with Trump. Shortly after, when they faced the cameras, Putin was bombarded with questions.
A journalist asked Putin if he would stop the killings of civilians. Putin responded with a smile and a gesture towards his ear, implying he didn’t hear the question. A formation of US military aircraft, including fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber, flew overhead as Trump and Putin met at the airport.
Trump greeted Putin and led him to his vehicle, ‘The Beast’. Putin joined Trump in ‘The Beast’ instead of traveling in his Russian convoy. This was Putin’s first US visit in a decade.
During their discussion in Alaska, Putin said the conflict with Ukraine wouldn’t have started if Donald Trump was the US president in 2022. Putin added that the previous period had been tough for US-Russia relations, and now it was vital to improve the situation.
In February 2022, Putin ordered 200,000 troops to Ukraine, intending to quickly overthrow the government. Putin aimed to bring Ukraine back into Russia’s sphere of influence, but this did not succeed. Over the past three years, Russia has taken control of 22% of Ukraine.
Putin’s Conditions for Ending the War include:
1. Ukraine’s foreign and defense policies aligning with Russia’s after the war.
2. Russia keeping control of occupied areas (Luhansk, Kherson, Crimea).
3. Ukraine not joining NATO.
4. Western countries removing sanctions.
5. Russia seeking new deals with US and Western firms to boost its economy.
