Two Days Before Trump and Putin's Meeting: Washington Hinted at Recognizing "New Territories," Moscow Keeps Its Cards Close

The Summit May Take Place Against the Backdrop of Russia's Strong Offensive

Image: A group photo of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (from left to right) during their meeting. Archive photo.

The meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States will take place at the Elmendorf-Richardson Military Base in Anchorage. Information leaks about the negotiation agenda have given analysts reason to conclude that Ukraine will be just one topic.

Other top issues include nuclear deterrence, potential cooperation in the Arctic, and the situation in the Middle East.

For Donald Trump, mediating the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv is significant as it could lead to a Nobel Peace Prize.

The political commentator Jonathan LeMaire from The Atlantic cited sources from the presidential administration, stating that the White House has publicly discussed this matter.

Several people simultaneously stated that the fact that Barack Obama won the Nobel Prize angered Trump. He himself said that during his second term, he had already "prevented six wars."

Experts clarified that this statement was "somewhat exaggerated." Although the Trump administration has indeed focused on global hotspots in recent weeks and has been recognized for concluding peace agreements between Cambodia and Thailand, India and Pakistan, and Azerbaijan and Armenia.

However, in the eyes of many international observers, the most complicated conflict—the Gaza Strip issue—actually worsened under Trump. The situation there is deteriorating, but the U.S. president has not taken a single step to thwart Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military plan to completely occupy Palestine.

In this context, the only way for Trump to obtain his long-sought Nobel Prize is to end the Ukraine conflict. Therefore, The Atlantic wrote, he immediately accepted the proposal to hold a peace summit.

Moreover, the United States has preliminarily agreed to all of Russia's proposals, including refusing Ukraine's NATO membership, recognizing Crimea, and the status of four new regions (Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic, Zaporozhye Oblast, and Kherson Oblast).

The Atlantic explained: "Trump would accept all of Putin's conditions, regardless of what Ukraine hopes for." From Trump's perspective, if Zelensky rejects this deal, he will become the biggest obstacle on the path to peace and bear all corresponding consequences.

Meanwhile, Swiss National Television (SRF) emphasized that the negotiations will take place against the backdrop of Russia's large-scale offensive. "Russia may widen the gap in Ukraine's defense and introduce more troops in the coming days and weeks."

Andreas Lüsch, a military analyst and political scientist, told SRF: "In this case, it can indeed be said that Ukraine's defensive positions in Donbas will be broken." If there is an opportunity for a breakthrough, Putin is unlikely to be interested in a complete ceasefire in Alaska."

Al Jazeera pointed out that the Ukraine crisis is far from the only topic discussed by Trump and Putin, and mentioned that their last meeting was in 2018.

Citing statements from diplomats, it was reported that the topics of discussion will include the instability in the Middle East, global warming, and the threat of nuclear proliferation.

A key point on the negotiation agenda is determined by the meeting location, which involves discussions on the Arctic. Melting glaciers have brought new opportunities for shipping, mineral resource extraction, and infrastructure development, making possible the implementation of joint Russian-American projects.

Moscow has the capital to attract this "big deal enthusiast" — along with Putin, a large business delegation is also going to Alaska. The two sides may launch cooperative projects in multiple areas, especially energy. The New York Times reported that Trump's $4.4 billion "Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas" project has worried Russia. It involves exporting liquefied natural gas from northern Alaskan oil fields to Asian countries.

Buyers of American natural gas may include Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. The Thai National Oil Company has signed a 20-year contract to purchase Alaska liquefied natural gas. This directly touches on Russia's interests, perhaps even stronger than the tariffs Trump promised to impose on Russian oil buyers.

More than 20 Asian companies have shown interest in the project. The New York Times emphasized that this actually strikes at Russia's main liquefied natural gas markets. And Trump can use such arguments to exert additional pressure on Russia during the negotiations.

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