Putin and Trump's meeting location is confirmed!
As the world was speculating about where the first face-to-face meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict would take place, Trump could not wait to announce it.
On the 9th, Trump announced on social media that his meeting with Putin will be held in Alaska on August 15.
Subsequently, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed this statement, saying that the Alaska meeting will discuss how to completely resolve the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin expects the next meeting between the two leaders to be held within Russia, and Moscow has already extended an invitation to Trump.
It must be said that the time and location chosen for this U.S.-Russia presidential meeting are very interesting:
First, historically, Alaska was once Russian territory, but it was sold to the United States in 1867. Therefore, Trump can use the Alaska meeting to demonstrate his "strong home ground" to the domestic audience, and the historical ties of Alaska somewhat weaken Putin's "home disadvantage."
Second, Putin is currently carrying an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Although the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, both political parties have repeatedly called for the arrest of Putin. Therefore, Putin's visit to Alaska to meet Trump can be seen as a bold test of diplomatic thawing between the U.S. and Russia.
In terms of timing, August 15 this year coincides with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The choice of this time point for the meeting between Putin and Trump may be interpreted as implying the meaning of "ending the conflict."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1839939371191753/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.