The Alaska Summit Leaves Behind A Deflated Trump

The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska on August 15 witnessed a deflated Trump, much as he tried to put up a brave face.

The loud talk lapsed as did the earlier ultimatums such as the 50 days given to Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire (later constricted to August 8), threat of “severe consequences” if Putin didn’t agree, and the decision to deploy two nuclear submarines signalling these could be used, if required.

The Russia-Ukraine peace deal arrived in Istanbul in April 2023; within three months of the start of Russia’s special operations in Ukraine would have prevented the war, as well as the loss of more territory for Ukraine. But the US used its pooch Boris Johnson, then UK’s prime minister, to scuttle the deal. With NATO-Nazi battlegroups fully embedded in Ukraine, US-NATO believed they could defeat Russia using Ukraine as their proxy and effect a regime change in Moscow.

According to the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), since 2022 the US alone appropriated USD 175 billion in direct aid and financial support to address the ongoing conflict and related regional security efforts. Of this about USD 128 billion went as direct support to Ukraine. What the CFR doesn’t mention is that most of this money is being recycled back to the US.

The genocide and war crimes by Ukrainian forces against their own population who refused to take up arms, as well as Russian forces (evidence of which exists)has been barbaric and horrendous. But the US ignored all this and instead prevailed upon the UN to blame Russia for genocide in Bucha on unproven charges. And in the process drop Russia from the UNHRC, and pressure the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue a warrant to arrest Putin.

It is against this backdrop that Trump rolled out a red carpet for Putin in Alaska, in acknowledgement that Russia is winning the war. Russia presently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine (20% territory), which includes part of the territory signed between the US and Ukraine in the recent mineral deal. On the other side Ukraine is in ruins with millions killed – courtesy its own president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

There is speculation that Putin agreed to the summit with Trump because the Russian economy is getting impacted by the war. But the US economy is also going down with Trump’s tariff terrorism. Besides, Trump has given an unprecedented boost to BRICS and its alternate currency. India has granted full INR access to BRICS. With de-dollarization gaining momentum, Trump should stop making a fool of India.

The Alaska summit was held behind a banner boldly displaying “Pursuing Peace”. Putin said he has reached an agreement with Trump, hoping Kyiv “won’t throw a wrench” into the process of bringing the war to an end. He further said that the security of Ukraine must be ensured, and Russia was ready to do so, but the root cause of the war must be taken into account as well. Putin mentioned the discussion included collaboration in technology and space.

Trump said he had a very productive meeting with Putin but didn’t reveal any details, and added, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal. I will call up NATO... I’ll of course call up president Zelensky and tell him about today’s meeting.. we have a very good chance of getting there.” Putin and Trump addressed a press briefing from the same venue, reading out statements, without taking any questions.

Trump looked unprepared compared to Putin. Putin emphasized that the root cause of the conflict must be addressed – NATO expansion posing an existential threat to Russia. Trump said he didn’t know anything about trade with Russia but called Russia incredibly rich in natural resources and spanning 11 time zones.

In his presidential campaign, Trump announced he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours but took seven months to meet Putin after taking over office for a second time. Putin has suggested the next Trump-Putin meet in Moscow, while Trump has said he is leaving the ceasefire to Europe and Zelensky.

Significantly, Trump wrote earlier: “Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, talked the US into spending USD 350 billion, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a War that he, without the US and Trump, will never be able to settle.”

Zelensky is the geopolitical proxy of the West and he knows a ceasefire/peace implies the end of his dictatorship. He is wedded to America’s deep state and supported by the neo-Nazis/Nazis in NATO and Europe. Incidentally Trump’s grandfather also migrated from Germany to the US.

The Alaska summit has helped Trump win brownie points for the Nobel Peace Prize, or so he hopes. He was perhaps also deputed to gauge whether trade with Russia will be more beneficial after a peace deal or would continuing the war suit America’s interests better – plus an attempt to wean Russia away from China?

Peace in Ukraine is impossible till Zelensky remains Ukraine’s president. Peace will limit NATO employment, which America’s deep state will not want. A subdued Trump appears reduced as an underdog of the deep state that seems to have given the US Presidnet the license to make money for himself, his family and coterie, but not on peace.

Finally, peace in Ukraine is likely to remain a distant dream. How US-Russia relations develop under Trump remains to be seen. Trump has called Zelensky to the White House on Monday, August 17 and wants a peace deal, dropping the demand for a ceasefire. But this appears a gimmick for the Nobel Peace Prize that Trump desperately wants. As mentioned, a peace deal is only possible if Zelensky steps down.

Lt General Prakash Katoch is an Indian Army veteran. Views expressed here are the writer’s own.