Trump Should 'Demand' Land Back From Russia, Ex-Appointee Says
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President Donald Trump should "demand" key pieces of land located in the Arctic back from Russia during his meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday, former U.S. Arctic Research Commission member Tom Dans says.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Dans's remarks come as Trump prepares for a summit with the Russian president in Alaska amid continuing diplomatic debate in Washington and among United States allies over whether territorial concessions or "land swaps" could figure in an end to the war in Ukraine.
The summit has drawn international scrutiny because of concerns that U.S. diplomatic engagement might produce negotiated territorial changes in Ukraine—outcomes that European and Ukrainian leaders warned should not be imposed.
"Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in part, according to the Associated Press.
What To Know
In an op-ed published by The Hill on Wednesday, Dans, who was appointed by Trump to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission in December 2020, wrote that "If President Trump is going to be talking land swaps with Vladimir Putin later this week, maybe he can get some American land back, too?"
The former Trump appointee says that both Wrangel Island and the De Long Islands matter, and "If we do not secure our periphery, we put our homeland at risk."
Dans says that Wrangel Island "is the 'Gibraltar' of the Northern Sea Route, providing a key choke point on its eastern entry and hosting a modern naval base from which Russia projects force over the Arctic and American interests."
Wrangel Island and surrounding areas are administered by the Russian Federation and host protected areas, including Wrangel Island National Park. Wrangel Island was first noted in U.S. documents in 1881.
"Today, however, a recovery through negotiation and dialog may yet be possible. Finding a peaceful solution to Wrangel and the De Long Islands would be a very positive step in establishing a new relationship between the Russian Federation and the U.S.," Dans said.
President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the G20 Osaka Summit 2019 on June 28, 2019.
President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the G20 Osaka Summit 2019 on June 28, 2019.What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Wednesday: "Very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin. Constantly quoting fired losers and really dumb people like John Bolton, who just said that, even though the meeting is on American soil, 'Putin has already won.' What's that all about? We are winning on EVERYTHING. The Fake News is working overtime (No tax on overtime!). If I got Moscow and Leningrad free, as part of the deal with Russia, the Fake News would say that I made a bad deal!"
Trump continued, "But now they've been caught. Look at all of the real news that's coming out about their CORRUPTION. They are sick and dishonest people, who probably hate our Country. But it doesn't matter because we are winning on everything!!! MAGA"
What Happens Next
Trump and Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday. It is unknown if a ceasefire deal will be made that satisfies all parties.
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