Putin's Ukraine demands 'enraged' Trump at failed Alaska Peace Summit
Vladimir Putin frequently uses opportunities to deliver lengthy, historical explanations of why he believes Ukraine should belong to Russia, referencing events from centuries ago. The Moscow Times reports this.
US broadcaster Tucker Carlson complained that his interview with the Kremlin leader in early 2024 turned into such a lecture. Mr Putin's eight-minute speech about "Nazis" in Ukraine was, according to Mr Carlson, "the most absurd and unconvincing argument possible."
The pattern was repeated at a meeting with President Donald Trump in Alaska, reports the Financial Times, citing multiple sources close to the negotiations. Mr Putin's historical presentation was accompanied by a clear demand for Ukraine's surrender—a move that angered Mr Trump greatly.
In Anchorage, Mr Putin was given the red carpet treatment. Mr Trump greeted him with a handshake and a wide smile, inviting him into his presidential vehicle. However, according to several individuals with knowledge of the discussions, once the doors closed, the cordiality quickly dissipated.
Mr Putin rejected Mr Trump's proposal to ease sanctions, recognise Crimea as part of Russia, and the White House’s attempt to persuade Kyiv to accept some territorial concessions in exchange for a ceasefire.
"The war will only end if Ukraine surrenders and cedes the entire Donbas, including territories not yet occupied by Russia," Mr Putin reportedly stated.
This was followed by a rambling historical account, interspersed with references to medieval princes such as Rurik and Yaroslav the Wise, as well as the Cossack Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky, under whose leadership Ukraine was annexed by Russia in the 17th century. According to the Financial Times' interlocutors, Mr Trump reportedly raised his voice several times and even threatened to leave the room. Ultimately, he cut the meeting short and cancelled the official lunch, where the two countries' delegations were supposed to discuss economic cooperation.
"Mr Trump truly believed he could strike a peace deal with Mr Putin. The offer made to Mr Putin was a very good one," former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who had recently discussed a possible peaceful resolution to the conflict with high-ranking American officials, told the FT. "But Mr Putin went too far."
The failure of the summit and the way the Russian press presented it as "a triumph for Mr Putin" angered Mr Trump, Politico reported, citing a Republican insider from the foreign policy team of the US administration.
A White House spokesperson, however, told the FT that the Alaska meeting was "productive" and dismissed the idea that it had ended in failure. "The Administration considers any opportunity to better understand Russia's position to be useful," he stated.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
