The political scientist named one of the topics of the future conversation between Putin and Trump in Alaska

Konstantin Blokhin, a leading researcher at the Center for Security Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump will discuss, among other things, the issue of partial lifting of sanctions during a meeting in Alaska.

"Putin and Trump will definitely discuss the issue of lifting American sanctions against Russia, at least partially. Washington is also interested in weakening this economic stranglehold, because it itself is suffering losses due to the restrictions imposed," Blokhin said in an interview with aif.ru on Wednesday, August 13th.

He recalled that, according to Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the withdrawal of American companies from the Russian market after the start of a special military operation in Ukraine cost the US business more than $300 billion.

"In other words, the US sanctions are a two—way damage. And Trump should be interested in not having him," concluded Blokhin.

Confluence of obligations: The United States is open to meeting with Russia on "irritants"

In what areas can the parties intensify relations

Putin and Trump will hold talks on August 15, which will focus on resolving the conflict in Ukraine. It is expected that the parties may raise the issue of territorial concessions and Kiev's rejection of plans to join NATO.

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Alaska's choice is explained by its geographical proximity to Russia. This meeting will be the first face-to-face for the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States after Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, IA Regnum clarifies.

On August 13, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky called the upcoming meeting between Putin and Trump a "personal victory" for the Russian leader. In his opinion, Moscow came out of "isolation", noting the absence of new US sanctions before the summit in Alaska, the website notes. kp.ru .

Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the HSE Center for European and International Studies, said on August 12 that Putin would make an unusual proposal to his American counterpart during a meeting in Alaska. This will be a "convenient way out" of the trap into which the head of the White House has driven himself. 360.ru . He added that this plan would include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass, where they are still present, Kiev's refusal to join NATO, as well as clauses on the demilitarization of Ukraine and constitutional reform "in the federal sense." Life.ru .

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.