Trump Delivers Melania's 'Peace Letter' to Putin at Alaska Summit
The First Lady's office on Saturday shared a Fox News article on X, showcasing the poignant letter. However, according to Fox News, Putin read the letter immediately after receiving it from Trump, while both delegations observed the moment.
'In today's world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them,' the letter stated. Although it did not mention Ukraine directly, it conveyed a powerful message. 'Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter,' it continued. 'In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone—you serve humanity itself.'
Additionally, the letter emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are able to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time.' Trump's Evolving Perspective on Putin
In July, Trump revealed that Melania, who hails from Slovenia, influenced his views on Putin. 'I go home, I tell the First Lady, 'You know, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation,'' Trump recounted. Melania responded with concern, saying, 'Oh really? Another city was just hit.'
After beginning his second term, Trump sought to improve relations with Putin, promising to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours. Initially, he directed his frustration at Ukraine for not reaching a deal. However, he gradually expressed disappointment over Putin's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Warnings and Shifts in Strategy
Before the Alaska summit, Trump warned of 'severe consequences' if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire. Yet, following his meeting with Putin, he shifted his stance, stating that the best way to end the conflict 'is to go directly to a peace agreement.'
Putin has consistently advocated for negotiations toward a final peace deal. However, Ukraine and its European allies criticize this approach, viewing it as a tactic to buy time while Russia continues its military advances.
In conclusion, Trump's delivery of Melania's letter highlights the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and the ongoing quest for peace in a turbulent region.
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Leaders
3 hours ago
- Leaders
Trump Delivers Melania's 'Peace Letter' to Putin at Alaska Summit
US President Donald Trump presented a heartfelt letter from First Lady Melania Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their recent summit in Alaska. This letter, which urged Putin to prioritize peace for the sake of children, came a day after the two leaders failed to reach a significant agreement. The First Lady's office on Saturday shared a Fox News article on X, showcasing the poignant letter. However, according to Fox News, Putin read the letter immediately after receiving it from Trump, while both delegations observed the moment. 'In today's world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them,' the letter stated. Although it did not mention Ukraine directly, it conveyed a powerful message. 'Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter,' it continued. 'In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone—you serve humanity itself.' Additionally, the letter emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are able to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time.' Trump's Evolving Perspective on Putin In July, Trump revealed that Melania, who hails from Slovenia, influenced his views on Putin. 'I go home, I tell the First Lady, 'You know, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation,'' Trump recounted. Melania responded with concern, saying, 'Oh really? Another city was just hit.' After beginning his second term, Trump sought to improve relations with Putin, promising to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours. Initially, he directed his frustration at Ukraine for not reaching a deal. However, he gradually expressed disappointment over Putin's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Warnings and Shifts in Strategy Before the Alaska summit, Trump warned of 'severe consequences' if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire. Yet, following his meeting with Putin, he shifted his stance, stating that the best way to end the conflict 'is to go directly to a peace agreement.' Putin has consistently advocated for negotiations toward a final peace deal. However, Ukraine and its European allies criticize this approach, viewing it as a tactic to buy time while Russia continues its military advances. In conclusion, Trump's delivery of Melania's letter highlights the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and the ongoing quest for peace in a turbulent region. Short link : Post Views: 25
Asharq Al-Awsat
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European Leaders to Join Ukraine's Zelenskyy for Meeting with Trump
European and NATO leaders announced Sunday they will join President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington for talks with President Donald Trump on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, with the possibility of US security guarantees now on the negotiating table. Leaders from France, Britain and Germany are rallying around the Ukrainian leader after his exclusion from Trump's summit on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their pledge to be at Zelenskyy's side at the White House on Monday is an apparent effort to ensure the meeting goes better than the last one in February, when Trump berated Zelenskyy in a heated Oval Office encounter. 'The Europeans are very afraid of the Oval Office scene being repeated and so they want to support Mr. Zelenskyy to the hilt,' said retired French Gen. Dominique Trinquand, a former head of France's military mission at the United Nations. 'It's a power struggle and a position of strength that might work with Trump,' he said. Special US envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday that Putin agreed at the meeting in Alaska with Trump to allow the US and European allies to offer Ukraine a security guarantee resembling NATO's collective defense mandate as part of an eventual deal to end the 3 1/2-year war. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at a news conference in Brussels with Zelenskyy, said 'we welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine. And the 'Coalition of the willing' -- including the European Union -- is ready to do its share.' Von der Leyen was joined Sunday by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in saying they will take part in Monday's talks at the White House, as will secretary-general of the NATO military alliance, Mark Rutte. The European leaders' demonstration of support could help ease concerns in Kyiv and in other European capitals that Ukraine risks being railroaded into a peace deal that Trump says he wants to broker with Russia. Neil Melvin, director of international security at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, said European leaders are trying to 'shape this fast-evolving agenda.' After the Alaska summit, the idea of a ceasefire appears all-but-abandoned, with the narrative shifting toward Putin's agenda of ensuring Ukraine does not join NATO or even the EU. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday that a possible ceasefire is 'not off the table' but that the best way to end the war would be through a 'full peace deal.' Putin has implied that he sees Europe as a hindrance to negotiations. He has also resisted meeting Zelenskyy in person, saying that such a meeting can only take place once the groundwork for a peace deal has been laid. Speaking to the press after his meeting with Trump, the Russian leader raised the idea that Kyiv and other European capitals could 'create obstacles' to derail potential progress with 'behind-the-scenes intrigue.' For now, Zelenskyy offers the Europeans the 'only way' to get into the discussions about the future of Ukraine and European security, says RUSI's Melvin. However, the sheer number of European leaders potentially in attendance means the group will have to be 'mindful' not to give 'contradictory' messages, Melvin said. 'The risk is they look heavy-handed and are ganging up on Trump,' he added. 'Trump won't want to be put in a corner.' Although details remain hazy on what Article 5-like security guarantees from the US and Europe would entail for Ukraine, it could mirror NATO membership terms, in which an attack on one member of the alliance is seen as an attack on all. In remarks made on CNN's 'State of the Union,' Witkoff said Friday's meeting with Trump was the first time Putin has been had heard to agree to such an arrangement. Zelenskyy continues to stress the importance of both US and European involvement in any negotiations. 'A security guarantee is a strong army. Only Ukraine can provide that. Only Europe can finance this army, and weapons for this army can be provided by our domestic production and European production. But there are certain things that are in short supply and are only available in the United States,' he said at the press conference Sunday alongside Von der Leyen.
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
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Putin accepts plan for US, EU to provide NATO-style security guarantees to Ukraine
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