US–Russia Alaska talks — Russian delegation outweighs Washington's defensive line… are Putin's traps set for an ambush in Alaska?

Economic Times

17 hours ago

Synopsis
US–Russia Alaska talks take a tense turn as Vladimir Putin arrives with a seasoned team of diplomats, war strategists, and economic heavyweights, outnumbering Washington's more loyalty-driven inner circle. The meeting comes as the Ukraine war stalls, sanctions bite, and Moscow seeks both territorial recognition and relief from Western restrictions. Putin's delegation blends old guard skill with sharp economic tactics, while Trump's side leans on trusted allies and financiers.
AP
U.S. President Donald Trump , left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.More men, more experience, and a sharper playbook — Putin's side to arrive in Alaska with the upper hand, and Washington knows it. Trump–Putin Alaska meet: The stage is set for one of the most lopsided power matchups in recent U.S.–Russia diplomacy. Donald Trump's negotiating table in Anchorage will be facing not just Vladimir Putin, but a Russian delegation designed like a war cabinet — heavier on experience, deeper in institutional memory, and sharper in technical expertise than the American side. The optics alone suggest this isn't a balanced chessboard. The Alaska talks come as the Ukraine war grinds into its fourth year. Kyiv's summer counter-offensives have slowed to a crawl, U.S. military aid is facing congressional pushback, and Russia's economy — despite sanctions — grew 3.6% in 2024 according to Rosstat, driven by a wartime manufacturing boom.
For Putin, this summit is a chance to lock in battlefield gains without firing a shot. For Trump, it's an opportunity to deliver on his 'peace through deal-making' promise — but at the risk of alienating NATO allies who still view Russia as the aggressor. This is where the 'ambush' metaphor takes shape. Russian delegation : A blend of Cold War-era diplomats, war economy strategists, and financial operatives with direct channels to U.S. business networks. Many have been negotiating with Washington since before Trump entered politics.
: A blend of Cold War-era diplomats, war economy strategists, and financial operatives with direct channels to U.S. business networks. Many have been negotiating with Washington since before Trump entered politics. U.S. delegation: Heavy on loyalists and financiers, light on career Russia hands. Only a few members have deep, technical experience in Kremlin negotiations. In raw diplomatic firepower, Moscow is fielding more players who can switch between political, military, and economic arguments mid-conversation — a tactic that often throws less-seasoned negotiators off balance.
pic.twitter.com/fboewdGnq7 — Kirill A. Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) August 15, 2025 For Trump, the summit is a chance to broker what he calls a 'real deal' — one that could reduce U.S. spending on Ukraine while opening new economic corridors with Russia. For Putin, it's an opportunity to erode Western unity, secure partial sanctions relief, and cement territorial gains.
At 75, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is the Kremlin's longest-serving foreign policy chief since Andrei Gromyko. His tenure, stretching back to 2004, has seen him defend Russia's positions from Iraq to Crimea to Ukraine. Once respected in Western capitals, Lavrov now embodies Moscow's hardline pivot — his presence here signals no softening of Russia's core demands.
Yuri Ushakov, 78, once Russia's ambassador to the U.S., is fluent in American political language and culture. His behind-the-scenes role is critical: he shapes Putin's talking points and ensures no off-script commitments. If Lavrov is the attack dog, Ushakov is the quiet chess player.
A surprise appointment as defence minister in 2024, Andrei Belousov is not a general but an economist. His task has been to turn Russia's budget into a war-funding machine without triggering economic collapse. Expect him to push for terms that protect Russia's industrial expansion in occupied territories. At 50, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, is Putin's conduit to the U.S. business elite. Stanford- and Harvard-educated, he's reportedly pitched joint Arctic infrastructure projects to Trump allies. His presence suggests Moscow sees financial carrots as a key negotiating lever. Anton Siluanov, 62, coined the phrase 'fortress economy' — Moscow's blueprint for surviving sanctions. His role in Alaska will be to explore the price, in economic concessions, of any peace settlement. Marco Rubio, 54, serves as both secretary of state and acting national security adviser — the first to do so since Henry Kissinger. His hawkish stance on Russia could clash with Trump's conciliatory approach, but his inclusion reassures European allies wary of a unilateral U.S. deal. As CIA director, John Ratcliffe straddles the line between Trump's political aims and the intelligence community's assessments. His record shows a willingness to pressure Kyiv toward negotiations, but also a recognition of Ukraine's staying power. Real estate magnate Steve Witkoff is perhaps the most unconventional player here. With no diplomatic background, his meetings with Putin have sometimes echoed Kremlin talking points — unnerving Kyiv. His closeness to Trump makes him a potential backchannel of real influence. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are both Wall Street heavyweights. Their brief in Alaska is clear: explore economic incentives that could make a deal palatable to Moscow, especially in energy, trade, and Arctic ventures. While Putin's team mixes decades of diplomatic and military experience with economic pragmatists, Trump's delegation leans heavily on personal loyalty and business connections. That imbalance could matter — seasoned Russian negotiators have historically exploited gaps in U.S. expertise, especially when talks turn technical. Trump's decision to leave Vice-President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth off the list removes two voices with military focus, while Putin has his defence chief and top economic minds at the table. The immediate stakes are clear: Ukraine's territorial integrity – Will Trump pressure Kyiv to accept a freeze along current front lines?
– Will Trump pressure Kyiv to accept a freeze along current front lines? Sanctions relief – Moscow's top economic demand.
– Moscow's top economic demand. U.S.–Russia business ties – Particularly in Arctic shipping routes and energy infrastructure.
– Particularly in Arctic shipping routes and energy infrastructure. NATO unity – A unilateral U.S. deal could fracture the alliance. History shows that one-on-one Trump–Putin meetings, from Helsinki 2018 to Osaka 2019, often produce moments of unpredictability. The Alaska summit is no different — except this time, the war in Ukraine hangs in the balance.
If there is movement toward a ceasefire, markets will react instantly. Expect the ruble, currently trading near 92 to the dollar, to strengthen on any credible sign of sanctions relief, while Ukrainian bonds could tumble if Kyiv is seen as conceding ground. Sergei Lavrov – At 75, he's Putin's foreign minister since 2004, with a track record of turning hostile press rooms into propaganda wins.
Yuri Ushakov – The quiet operator, fluent in Washington politics, and a veteran of backchannel diplomacy from his time as Russia's ambassador to the U.S. (1998–2008).
Andrei Belousov – Defence minister and economist; tasked with converting Russia's battlefield control into industrial dominance.
Kirill Dmitriev – Harvard and Stanford-educated head of the $10bn Russian Direct Investment Fund, here to tempt Trump with Arctic and energy deals.
Anton Siluanov – Finance minister since 2011, architect of the so-called 'fortress economy' designed to withstand Western sanctions. Marco Rubio – Secretary of State and acting national security adviser; hawkish on Russia but politically isolated in Trump's inner circle.
John Ratcliffe – CIA director; loyal to Trump, pragmatic on intelligence, but aligned with the president's desire for a quick settlement.
Steve Witkoff – Special envoy and property magnate; no diplomatic experience but trusted implicitly by Trump — a potential backchannel for sensitive proposals.
Scott Bessent – Treasury secretary; Wall Street veteran tasked with exploring sanctions relief and investment opportunities.
Howard Lutnick – Commerce secretary; hard-driving negotiator with deep financial ties but no Russia background. Russian Delegation Role US Delegation Role Sergei Lavrov Foreign Minister – in post since 2004, veteran diplomat, architect of Moscow's foreign policy Marco Rubio Secretary of State – also Acting National Security Adviser, hawkish on Russia/China Yuri Ushakov Foreign Policy Adviser – veteran aide, former ambassador to US John Ratcliffe CIA Director – ex-DNI, Trump loyalist, measured on Ukraine Andrei Belousov Defence Minister – technocrat, focuses on war economy and anti-corruption in military Steve Witkoff Special Envoy – Trump confidant, real estate mogul, pro-Moscow leanings Kirill Dmitriev Russian Direct Investment Fund Chief – US-educated, pitches Arctic cooperation Scott Bessent Treasury Secretary – billionaire investor, economic dealmaker Anton Siluanov Finance Minister – architect of 'fortress economy' under sanctions Howard Lutnick Commerce Secretary – Wall Street power broker, close Trump ally — — Karoline Leavitt Press Secretary – controls White House messaging — — Susie Wiles Chief of Staff – top Trump political strategist — — Dan Scavino Deputy Chief of Staff – Trump's longtime media aide Economic bait : Dmitriev's Arctic infrastructure proposals could lock U.S. companies into long-term ventures that outlast any ceasefire.
: Dmitriev's Arctic infrastructure proposals could lock U.S. companies into long-term ventures that outlast any ceasefire. Narrative control : Lavrov's skill lies in framing U.S. concessions as Russian victories — even if the text says otherwise.
: Lavrov's skill lies in framing U.S. concessions as Russian victories — even if the text says otherwise. Side-channel diplomacy: Witkoff's personal rapport with Putin could lead to off-record promises invisible to the official communique. These tactics have precedent. In the 2018 Helsinki summit, Trump's closed-door session with Putin — without aides — left U.S. officials scrambling to clarify what was agreed. Similar dynamics could play out in Anchorage. Putin's team is built to attack from multiple angles — diplomatic, economic, and narrative — and to come away with something tangible even if formal negotiations stall. Trump's team is built to please the president and close a deal quickly. That difference alone could decide who leaves Alaska with the upper hand. In the end, this summit may not be remembered for its handshake photo but for the fine print that follows. And if history is any guide, the real moves may be made when the cameras are gone — exactly where an ambush delivers its blow.