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New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Made-for-TV pageantry as Trump brings Putin in from the cold
SETTING foot on Western soil for the first time since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin basked in choreographed pageantry courtesy of Donald Trump, but was also confronted by signs of American power. In made-for-television images, Putin and Trump each flew in their presidential planes to Elmendorf Air Base, the largest US military installation in Alaska that played a key role in monitoring the Soviet Union. Trump waited in Air Force One until Putin landed and then stepped down to the tarmac, clapping as he saw the Russian leader for the first time since 2019, this time under a frigid slate-grey sky. They then walked towards each other, smiled and shook hands before posing together on a stage that read "Alaska 2025". In a highly unusual move, Putin stepped in "The Beast", the ultra-secure US presidential limousine, alongside Trump before they headed into talks that focused on Ukraine. Putin grinned widely and appeared to joke to reporters as the two met in a room which the American hosts emblazoned with the words — written only in English — "Pursuing Peace". Putin sought to flatter Trump, speaking to him of how he wanted a positive relationship and — seizing on one of the US leader's favourite themes — agreeing that he would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump and not Joe Biden were president in 2022. When Trump told Putin of how he hoped to meet again, the Russian leader broke out rare words of English: "Next time in Moscow." The reception was a striking contrast to a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February, when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance berated him and accused him of ingratitude. Zelenskyy was long hailed across the Western world. Putin by contrast has curtailed his travel sharply since he sent troops to invade Ukraine, and he faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to the war. Putin was quickly confronted on the war as a reporter repeatedly and loudly shouted out to him, "When will you stop killing civilians?" Putin did not react. Both sides sought to press their message, sometimes in unsubtle ways. As Putin walked in, a B-2 stealth bomber — an ultimate symbol of US military power — flew overhead. Sergei Lavrov, the veteran Russian foreign minister rarely seen out of a jacket and tie, was photographed arriving ahead of Putin in Alaska in a sweatshirt emblazoned with "CCCP" — the USSR — in a reminder of the superpower status that Putin has been striving to recreate. Senior Russian officials were temporarily relieved from severe US sanctions in place since the Ukraine invasion, allowing them not just to arrive in the US but to carry out day-to-day transactions such as withdrawing money from cash machines. Putin and Trump did not step off the base, but activists held out hope of at least a fleeting protest by posting blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags on roofs that could be spotted if either leader looked out of his plane's windows. With just a week to prepare since Trump announced the summit, Anchorage was strained to capacity with hotels full of tourists on fishing expeditions and coastal cruises who had no warning that their summer destination would become the focus of global diplomacy. Russian journalists, unable to secure accommodation, posted disapproving pictures of staying at a sports arena, where they slept on cots partitioned off from one another by black curtains. The US hosts served the Russian journalists a selection of familiar foods — shashlik meat skewers, grilled fish and, in a common dish for Russians that suddenly could take on another meaning, chicken Kiev.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Trump-Putin talks: Odd things you may have missed - red carpets to chicken Kyiv
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to reach any ceasefire or peace deal to end the war in Ukraine raising concerns about how long the conflict will continue High expectations were set ahead of the crunch Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with hopes the pair could thrash out a deal to end the war in Ukraine, although there were several things people would have missed. The two leaders met in Alaska, a former Russian territory, on Friday amid hopes that steps would be secured to end the war in Ukraine. But the meeting ended with little meaningful progress toward a ceasefire or peace deal. Putin showed no indication he would end the war or give up on his war goals to occupy parts of eastern Ukraine. But there were also some weird moments many might have missed during the meeting. Putin's limp Eyebrows were raised as despot Putin appeared unsteady and carrying a limp as he left his aircraft for the Alaska summit. He was forced to pause halfway down the stairs of his presidential plane before meeting Mr Trump. The limp happened just moments before the crucial talks in Alaska. Rumours about Putin's health have been circulating for years and his arrival in Anchorage would add fuel to the fire. The 72-year-old appeared to wince as he walked along the red carpet to greet Mr rump. He eventually managed to exchange handshakes and pleasantries with the president of the US. Soviet Union and chicken Kyiv trolling Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived at the summit in Alaska wearing a sweatshirt with the letters CCCP on it, the Russian initials for the USSR, or Soviet Union. The move is a continuation of a trolling and aggressive tone from Russian officials following the war in Ukraine. The editor-in-chief of Russian propaganda outlet RT, Margarita Simonyan, said the Russian press corps flying to Alaska have been served chicken Kyiv. The menu item went on to be seized by Russian propagandists, with commentator Sergei Markov stating Putin and Trump should "turn (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy into a chicken Kyiv." American soldiers on knees rolling out red carpet American soldiers were seen on their knees rolling out the red carpet for Putin. The move was met with derision online with Democrats seizing on the moment. The Press office for California Governor Gavin Newsom said: "Trump had our BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS ON THEIR KNEES to roll out the RED CARPET for his best friend VLAD! DISGUSTING." Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern posted on X/ Twitter: "Trump rolls out the red carpet for a war criminal. On American soil. The U.S. government should be arresting Putin, not hosting him. Shameful and embarrassing." Trump's zig-zag red carpet walk The US President's walk along the red carpet raised questions on social media after he was seen drifting from one side to the other. In a viral post, X/Twitter user Brian Allen said: "Trump couldn't even walk in a straight line to greet Putin; stumbling like a man who just met gravity for the first time. World stage, red carpet, and he's out here looking like a malfunctioning Roomba." His comment was viewed more than 632,900 times on the social media account. While the video went viral, other clips showed Mr Trump walking in a straight line with little issue. Putin and Trump cosy in back of 'The Beast' The leaders greeted one another on the red carpet before they entered the US President's limousine, known as "the Beast." Trump and Putin appeared all smiles as they chatted with one another as they got inside the vehicle. Trump was seen clapping as Putin approached him and guided Putin into the limousine. Putin was seen smiling in the vehicle as the driver took them to the summit.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Russian foreign minister Lavrov sports USSR sweatshirt ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska summit
Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov wore a USSR sweatshirt when he arrived in Anchorage for a summit with US President Donald Trump, referencing the Soviet era. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in a "USSR" sweatshirt before the Alaska summit (left), seated next to Vladimir Putin in a suit during the meeting with Donald Trump (right).(X-@isar_egemen/ AFP ) He arrived in Alaska before President Vladimir Putin as part of Russia's delegation. Stepping out of a black vehicle ahead of the summit, he wore a black vest over a sweatshirt that seemed to say 'CCCP,' the Russian abbreviation for USSR. Many of Russia's senior delegation in Alaska, including Lavrov, started their careers in the Soviet Union and have been accused by the Russian opposition of still holding a Soviet imperialist mindset. In areas of Ukraine under Russian control, pro-Moscow authorities have removed monuments remembering Ukrainians who suffered under Soviet rule, including memorials for Holodomor victims, the 1930s famine that killed millions, reported The Guardian. Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis joked on X about Lavrov's sweatshirt, ''Just give us half of Ukraine and we promise we will stop,' says negotiator wearing USSR sweatshirt.' Russian fashion bloggers on Telegram pointed out that the $120 sweatshirt was made by Selsovet, a Chelyabinsk brand known for 'Soviet heritage' clothing. The foreign minister said ahead of the summit that Russia 'never plans ahead,' responding to US President Trump's Thursday remark that there was a 25 per cent chance the Ukraine-Russia peace talks could fail. 'We know that we have arguments, a clear, understandable position. We will state it,' Lavrov said in footage posted to the Russian foreign ministry's Telegram channel. The long-awaited summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin kicked off with a ceremonial welcome and a flyover by roaring jets at an Alaska military base but ended on a muted note Friday, as both leaders admitted they had not reached any agreement on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. After roughly two and a half hours of discussions at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, the leaders faced the media for what was expected to be a joint news conference, but no questions were taken. 'We had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to; there are just a very few that are left. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there,' said Trump.
RTÉ News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'High-stakes' summit of presidential pageantry ends in no deal
This was billed as a "high-stakes" summit, and yet it ended with no deal. President Donald Trump had been optimistic as he flew to Alaska yesterday morning aboard Air Force One about the prospects of securing a ceasefire in the war he promised he would finish on day one of his presidency. But he went back to Washington empty-handed. For President Vladimir Putin, though, the day was a great success. Treated to full-on presidential pageantry, complete with a red carpet and American fighter jet escort, this looked and felt like a man being brought in from the cold. At one point, President Trump even clapped as he watched the Russian president walk towards him. The warm smiles, jokes and handshakes were certainly very different to the verbal mauling Ukraine's war leader Volodymyr Zelensky got the last time he visited Mr Trump. A reporter shouted a question, asking Mr Putin if he would stop killing civilians. The Russian president pointed to his ear, making as if he could not hear. Perhaps most surprising of all was Mr Putin's decision to leave his Russian-made limousine idling on the tarmac, opting instead to climb into the US President's limo, known as "the Beast" - a sign of deep familiarity and trust. Mr Putin grinned from the back seat as they sped away. It was clear the Russian delegation felt very comfortable in Alaska, not least perhaps because it used to be Russian territory. Ahead of the meeting, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was spotted sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with CCCP - the Russian letters of the USSR - in a not-so-subtle reference to Russia's imperialist past. The meeting went on for nearly three hours behind closed doors as the world held its breath. But then came a rambling press conference, where President Putin and President Trump spoke in vague terms about what had been discussed. Mr Putin took the stage first, delivering a lengthy monologue in Russian, which returned to familiar talking points about needing to address the "root causes" of the conflict. It became clear, he had not offered Mr Trump any concessions. He also took the opportunity to mention the areas of "cooperation" between the US and Russia, notably in the Arctic - something we know President Trump is particularly keen on. Then it was President Trump's turn, and in a roundabout way, he delivered the news everyone had been waiting for. "There were many, many points that we agree on," he said. "A couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there," adding, "so there's no deal until there's a deal". So, no deal then. Mr Trump then went on to press his own favourite talking points - including several references to the "Russia, Russia, Russia hoax," and theories, he said, Mr Putin had told him about electoral fraud in the United States. The event wrapped up with an invitation from Mr Putin to Mr Trump. Switching to English, "next time in Moscow," he said. Mr Trump chuckled and said he might get a lot of "heat" for that one. In the end, it was a "press conference" right out of the authoritarian's playbook - the men refusing to take questions from the free press, rather than risk any, perhaps, that might be difficult to answer. This was highly unusual for President Trump, who has made freewheeling encounters with journalists a hallmark of his second term. Whether Mr Trump takes Mr Putin up on his offer of meeting in Moscow remains to be seen. But Mr Putin knows where he is going next. At the end of this month, he will travel to China for a regional summit and bi-lateral talks with China's president Xi Jinping, whose support Mr Putin has relied on for his war on Ukraine. With powerful friends like these, it seems the Russian president has paid little diplomatic cost for invading his neighbour.
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Why Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov's USSR Shirt Was In Focus Amid Putin-Trump Summit
Washington: The sartorial choice of Sergei Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, during US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's Alaska meeting on Friday, drew the attention of many across the globe. In what's seen as a not-so-subtle act of trolling, the Russian Foreign Minister was seen wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with 'CCCP', the Russian initials for the USSR. Seventy-five-year-old Lavrov's attire is being seen as a nod to Kremalin's imperial ambitions, forwarding Putin's long-running narrative: Russians and Ukrainians are 'one people' -- a claim that denies Ukraine's legitimacy and territorial integrity while promoting a broader notion of unity with Russia. On Telegram, Russian fashion bloggers identified the $120 sweatshirt as the work of Chelyabinsk-based brand, Selsovet, that specialises in 'Soviet heritage' clothing. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis was quick to point out Lavrov's clothing choice on X and wrote. ''Just give us half of Ukraine and we promise we will stop,' says negotiator wearing USSR sweatshirt.' "Just give us half of Ukraine and we promise we will stop" says negotiator wearing USSR sweatshirt. — Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) August 15, 2025 Belarusian politician Franak Viačorka noted that "Lavrov's 'USSR' sweater in Alaska is a clear nod to the Putin regime's imperial ambitions." Lavrov's 'USSR' sweater in Alaska is a clear nod to the Putin regime's imperial ambitions. They're stuck in the past and want to pull Ukraine and Belarus back with them – forgetting we are free nations that will never return to their 'brotherhood'. Dictators cannot be appeased. — Franak Viačorka (@franakviacorka) August 15, 2025 "They're stuck in the past and want to pull Ukraine and Belarus back with them – forgetting we are free nations that will never return to their 'brotherhood'. Dictators cannot be appeased," he said. The Putin aide, who was once seen as a pragmatic and skilled diplomat, has been seen mirroring the Kremlin's radicalised politics in recent years by adopting an increasingly combative tone and often resorting to trolling and mockery. Like most of Russia's veteran delegation to Alaska, Lavrov had also started his political career in the Soviet Union and had been accused of clinging to a Soviet imperialist mentality by the Russian opposition. The Soviet Union, or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), spanned much of Eurasia between 1922 and 1991, before it dissolved, leading to the independence of countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, apart from Russia and Ukraine.
