Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Alaska when he received a question from a journalist, to which he offered a gesture as a response. Putin’s plane touched down at Elmendorf-Richardson Airbase. Following a walk down a long red carpet, Putin met with Trump. Minutes later, as they appeared before cameras, Putin was faced with a series of questions.
A journalist asked Putin if he would halt the killing of civilians. Putin responded with a smile and pointed towards his ear, indicating he didn’t hear the query. As Trump and Putin convened at the airport, a US military aircraft formation, featuring fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber, flew overhead.
Trump shook hands with Putin and escorted him to his vehicle, known as ‘The Beast.’ Putin opted to join Trump in ‘The Beast’ instead of using his Russian convoy. This marked Putin’s initial trip to America in a decade.
In Alaska, during their conversation, Putin stated that the conflict with Ukraine would not have unfolded had Donald Trump still been the US President in 2022. Putin added that the prior period had presented challenges for US-Russia relations and that the current situation needed urgent improvement.
In February 2022, Putin authorized the deployment of 200,000 troops to Ukraine, with the goal of quickly ousting the government. Putin’s aim was to restore Ukraine to the Russian sphere of influence, but this was not accomplished. Nonetheless, Russia has gained control over 22% of Ukraine in the past three years.
Putin’s Stipulations for Terminating the War include:
1. Post-war, Ukraine’s foreign and defense policies should align with Russia’s interests.
2. Russia will retain possession of the territories it currently occupies (Luhansk, Kherson, Crimea).
3. Ukraine should not be granted NATO membership.
4. The lifting of sanctions imposed by Western nations.
5. Russia seeking to establish fresh deals with American and Western corporations to bolster its economy.