15.08.2025 21:26
While the world is focused on the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, a statement came from the U.S. President before the meeting. Trump, who made remarks that would anger Putin before boarding the plane, threatened, "Putin negotiates by killing; there will be no trade until the war is over. If there is no agreement, there will be serious consequences."
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting today in Alaska to discuss the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine War, which has been ongoing since 2022, and to address the relations between the two countries.
The meeting will take place at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The main agenda item will be the resolution of the Ukraine crisis. The two leaders are also expected to consult on regional developments.
NOTABLE REMARKS BEFORE THE MEETING
Before boarding the plane, Trump made statements, saying, "I would like to focus on our country, but I am doing this to save many lives." Trump also stated, "I am not here to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine."
"IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE SEVERE"
Trump indicated that if Putin does not agree to end the war, the consequences for Russia would be deterrent and said regarding possible economic sanctions, "Yes, it will be very serious." In response to questions from journalists about Russia increasing its attacks before the summit, Trump claimed that Putin negotiates by killing.
ZELENSKY: WE TRUST THE U.S.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky met with Ukrainian officials before the summit to be held in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. After the meeting, Zelensky stated on his social media account that there were conflicts in the Pokrovsk region, emphasizing the special importance given to positions in the Zaporizhia region. "I thank all our soldiers. The Russian army continues to suffer significant losses while trying to gain more favorable political positions at the summit in Alaska," he said.
He also mentioned that they discussed financing issues with Ukrainian officials, stating, "Our army is ready to respond effectively and quickly to threats against Ukraine under any circumstances."
Zelensky added that they are waiting for a report from the intelligence unit regarding the Russian side's intentions for the summit in Alaska, saying, "Indeed, the risks are high. The important thing is that this meeting opens a real path to a fair peace and substantial discussion among leaders in a tripartite format involving Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia. It is time to end the war, and Russia must take the necessary steps. We trust the U.S. As always, we are ready to work as productively as possible."
SOVIET UNION WRITTEN SWEATSHIRT
On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Alaska for the summit wearing a sweatshirt with 'CCCP' (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR) written on it. Lavrov's civilian outfit, worn before the summit began, was interpreted as a message to the U.S.
The CCCP inscription represents the Soviet Union, which existed from 1922 to 1991. This period is historically noted as the peak of the Cold War and the ideological competition between the U.S. and the USSR. Lavrov's choice of this sweatshirt is also seen as a reference to Russia's global influence during the Cold War.
THE SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE OF ALASKA BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
Although many claims have been made about the location where the two leaders will meet, the parties will gather in Alaska, which was sold to the U.S. by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The choice of Alaska instead of the mentioned Arab countries for the meeting carries many symbolic meanings.
RUSSIA SOLD ALASKA TO THE U.S. IN 1867
Discovered in 1732 by two explorers, Mikhail Gvozdev and Ivan Fedorov, Alaska was later evaluated by traders and provided income to the Russians through fur trade. The Russian-American Company was established in the region in 1799. The economic burden brought by the Crimean War in the second half of the 19th century created difficult financial conditions for the Russians. Subsequently, the proposal to sell the lands in Alaska to the U.S. was made. Although the idea was first proposed in 1857 by the brother of the then Russian Tsar Alexander II, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich, Alaska was sold to the U.S. with the Tsar's approval on March 30, 1867.
PAID $153 MILLION IN TODAY'S INFLATION
The amount paid to the Russians for Alaska corresponds to approximately $153 million today, considering the average dollar inflation rate of 1.97% from 1867 to 2024. In this transaction, the then U.S. Secretary of State William Seward played a significant role. However, Seward faced heavy criticism from many quarters at the time. The U.S. media referred to the purchase of Alaska as "Seward's folly."
THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF ALASKA
Over the years, the value of Alaska and the justification of Seward became clear. With the discovery of underground riches, its geopolitical importance increased, and Alaska, which has developed in terms of regional tourism, covers a significant portion of approximately 17% of current U.S. territory. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Alaska, which was accepted as the 49th state of the U.S. in 1959, is estimated to contain about 13% of the world's undiscovered oil reserves and approximately 30% of natural gas reserves.
Alaska is of key importance for U.S. strategic operations. General Billy Mitchell, considered the father of the U.S. Air Force, claimed in 1935 that Alaska was "the most strategic place in the world." Located among the world's most important cities, Alaska is approximately 6,000 kilometers from Beijing, 6,700 kilometers from Moscow, 5,300 kilometers from Tokyo, and 7,150 kilometers from Warsaw.
Alaska also has military significance for the U.S., with approximately 22,000 members of the U.S. air, land, and naval forces, along with 4,700 guards and reserve soldiers. Air force personnel make up 38% of the military personnel in the region. Offering the U.S. a "forward base" advantage against Russia, Alaska is also crucial for the U.S.'s military presence and defense in the Arctic. The distance between Alaska's westernmost point and Russia's easternmost point, Cape Dezhnev, is approximately 80 kilometers.
Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament, stated in July 2022, "The U.S. should never forget Alaska, which is part of its territory. When they try to manage our resources abroad, they should not forget that there is something we can take from them as well."
PUTIN WILL BE THE FIRST RUSSIAN LEADER TO VISIT ALASKA
Although the U.S. has been visited by Soviet leaders Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as Boris Yeltsin and Dmitry Medvedev from Russia, Putin will go down in history as the first Russian leader to visit Alaska.
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Putin's visit to New York in 2015 to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly is considered the Russian leader's last visit to the United States.
TURNING POINT OF TIME
The distance from Alaska, which belongs to the United States, to Russia's Chukotka region across the Bering Strait is 86 kilometers. Here, the border between the two countries passes through the middle of the 3.8-kilometer distance between Russia's Big Diomede Island (Ratmanov) and the United States' Little Diomede Island. This area, which forms the border between Russia and the United States, is an important point where the time zone changes, and the "International Date Line" passes through here. During the Putin-Trump summit, which will take place on August 15, 2025, within the borders of the United States, calendars in Russia, just next to the border, will show August 16, 2025. Despite this short distance between the two countries, the time difference is 21 hours.
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