How Putin is the winner of Alaska meet

India Today

a day ago

Two days before Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met at the Alaska Summit, the former had threatened "severe consequences" if the latter blocked peace in Ukraine, without specifying what those consequences would be. But after the nearly three-hour face-to-face meeting in Alaska, Putin appeared to have the upper hand in the meeting.At the joint press conference, which lasted about 12.5 minutes, Putin unusually took the lead. He opened the briefing, spoke first, and dominated nearly 70% of the time, speaking for around 8.5 minutes. As he spoke, Trump stood silent and later described Putin's remarks as "profound".advertisementThe Alaska Summit, held on land once ruled by the Russian Tsars and sold cheaply to the US in 1867 amid an economic crisis, had the undertones of a bitter homecoming for Putin, long fascinated with Russia's lost Tsarist and Soviet territories. Yet, with his first greeting to Trump "Hello neighbour", upon landing, Putin turned the moment into an advantage rather than a setback.As the presser ended, something rare happened. Putin switched to English, saying, "Next time in Moscow", responding to Trump's comment that the US would speak to him again very soon.The Kremlin had reportedly expected the meeting to last six to seven hours, but it wrapped up in about three.From the moment the two leaders met, Putin's confidence was evident. Known for his commanding presence, he walked the red carpet flanked by F-22 fighter jets as Trump clapped. They shook hands, and Putin smiled.Then came a surprise. Putin boarded the car to the summit venue with Trump, though a separate car was arranged for him, NBC News reported, citing Russian media. Cameras captured Putin in the backseat with Trump, laughing.At both the air base and the summit venue in Anchorage city in Alaska, Putin made exaggerated facial expressions – rare for him.Overall, Putin was seemingly more confident, relaxed, and more vocal. Beyond the political theatrics, here are five reasons how Putin was the winner of the Alaska meeting.1. A RED-CARPET INVITE WAS A VICTORY IN ITSELFThe very fact that Putin was welcomed on US soil with a red carpet was a symbolic victory in itself.He has remained a pariah for the West, especially since the Ukraine war began, and was isolated diplomatically and economically. Yet, in Anchorage, Trump received him ceremonially, shifting political optics for Putin as a big world leader.By standing shoulder to shoulder with the US President, Putin projected the image of an indispensable world leader whose voice shapes global affairs.2. TRUMP DID NOT MENTION A CEASEFIRE EVEN ONCEDespite the summit's agenda being 'a ceasefire of the war in Ukraine', Trump never mentioned it. Instead he said, "We haven't quite gotten there but we made some headway," adding that he would "call Nato and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to brief" them."It is ultimately up to them (Ukraine)," said Trump, seemingly referring to a possible land-swap deal.Interestingly, the 20% of Ukrainian territory partially controlled by Russia includes rare earth mineral reserves – one reason, apart from sovereignty, why Zelenskyy refuses to cede land.3. NOT EVEN A PARTIAL VICTORY FOR TRUMPBefore the summit, Trump said, "I think it's going to work out very well, and if it doesn't, I'm going to head back." But at the meeting, he appeared far from tough. Instead, he responded positively to Putin's invitation to Moscow, saying, "I can see it possibly happening."The main goal of the Alaska Summit of "Pursuing Peace", was unmet. Both leaders gave vague statements about Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia launched 85 drones and one missile at Ukraine while the summit progressed in Alaska, AFP reported.Real progress would have meant Putin agreeing to meet or speak to Zelenskyy, but instead, another Trump-Putin meeting seems more likely.4. POSSIBLE BUSINESS VENTURES BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE USIn his address, Putin said, "It is clear that US-Russian investment and business cooperation has tremendous potential in trade, digital, high-tech, and space exploration. Arctic cooperation is also very possible".Soon after, Trump echoed this, and said, "We have some tremendous Russian business representatives here. Everybody wants to deal with us. We've become the hottest country anywhere in the world in a very short period of time".Trump then mentioned "the Russian hoax", seemingly referring to allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections, and said it had made cooperation harder. But he added, "We'll have a good chance when this is over."What was meant to be a 'peace summit' ended up sounding self-serving for Russia, with Putin pushing for Arctic cooperation, under which Russia has proposed granting US access to its natural resources and joint Arctic projects. This move could sideline the EU and UK, and potentially deepen Western divisions.5. A 10/10, BUT FOR PUTINTrump told the media the meeting was a "10/10" despite no breakthrough on a ceasefire in Ukraine. But it was Putin who seemingly walked away with the winner's trophy, projecting himself as a sharper global leader.Barely two weeks ago, Russia was staring at the threat of crippling sanctions, yet Trump neither "headed back home", as he had warned, nor pressed Putin harder.Instead, he handed Moscow ample propaganda to feed on, while Trump walked away with little more than some business promises, and certainly no closer to the Nobel Peace Prize he openly covets.- EndsMust Watch