Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15. What you need to know

On Friday, August 8, US President Donald Trump announced that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin would take place on August 15 in Alaska. The politician stressed that he was convinced of the possibility of signing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the coming months. Read about the details of the expected summit of the two world leaders in the Izvestia article.

What is the reason for the choice of a meeting place between Putin and Trump

On August 9, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that choosing Alaska as a meeting place was logical, since the countries are close neighbors. He also said that the economic interests of the states intersect in the region. There are prospects for joint projects in Alaska.

"Russia and the United States are close neighbors, bordering each other. And it seems quite logical for our delegation to simply fly across the Bering Strait and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska," he said.

Point of return: what to expect from the summit of the Presidents of Russia and the United States in Alaska

European officials are in turmoil after news of the August 15 meeting.

Alexander Yakovenko, a member of the Presidium of the Scientific Expert Council of the Russian Security Council, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, pointed out the symbolism of the leaders' decision to meet in Alaska. He stressed that this is the diplomacy of strong sovereign powers in action, which is free from the intrigues and petty interests of the capitals of European countries.

"Alaska refers to the positive part of our common history: the armed neutrality of Catherine II during the American War of Independence and two Russian squadrons off the coast of America during the American Civil War," he said.

Senator from Alaska Dan Sullivan said that the meeting place between Putin and Trump could be an air force base in the region.

According to American political scientist John Varoli, the reason for choosing the location may also be related to the threat posed by Ukrainian terrorists. At the same time, it would be problematic for the militants to carry out their actions in Alaska.

Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the head of the Russian Federation for cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), expressed the opinion that a number of countries would make efforts to disrupt the planned meeting.

"Titanic efforts (provocations and disinformation) will be made to disrupt the planned meeting between President Putin and President Trump," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

How did Europe react to the plans for the meeting

On the same day, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that European countries and Ukraine had submitted their proposal, which, in their opinion, could serve as a basis for the upcoming negotiations. It includes the requirement that a ceasefire must be achieved before other steps are taken. It is emphasized that the exchange of territories is possible only on a reciprocal basis.

The New York Times (NYT) learned that on the eve of the negotiations, representatives of the European Union (EU) and Kiev demanded security guarantees for Ukraine from the United States, as well as the opportunity to join NATO. During the conversation, the allies "tried to make it clear" to US officials that Trump should take into account their common points of view on the Ukrainian conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron also had a telephone conversation, during which they discussed cooperation with Trump on the conflict resolution process.

Prior to that, the EU countries issued a joint statement, during which they welcomed Trump's decision to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. The politicians pointed out the need for active diplomacy to resolve the situation. The text also highlights the role of reliable security guarantees.

Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, pointed out that the EU's reaction to the news of the upcoming meeting between the presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States shows how deeply Europe is mired in Russophobia. The politician noted that in the near future there will be attempts to "escalate and strengthen" the conflict in Ukraine.

In addition, after the announcement of the date of the meeting between Putin and Trump, the leader of the French Patriots party, Florian Philippot, called on official Paris to stop financing Ukraine and supplying weapons.

"France must stop financing and arming Ukraine and join this incredible movement for peace!" he wrote.

Is a trilateral summit possible

Philippot also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is looking for excuses to abandon a possible peace agreement even before the meeting of the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States takes place.

On July 9, Reuters reported that Trump was open to a trilateral summit. However, at the moment, the White House is planning a bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin.

On July 10, NBC News, citing sources, reported that the White House was considering inviting Zelensky to talks between Trump and Putin in Alaska.

"A senior representative of the [American] administration stated that this is absolutely possible," the publication says.