Alaska summit marks start of dialogue, not basis for negotiations – Russian Analyst
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Russian political analyst Dmitry Bridzhe told North Press on Sunday that the outcome of the “Alaska” summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin should be seen as the start of dialogue rather than a foundation for future negotiations.
Bridzhe explained that the Russian delegation—composed of Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Presidential Advisor Yuri Ushakov, and Putin’s envoy to Trump—adopted an economic rather than political approach, a strategy he described as “carefully calculated.”
The Alaska summit, held on Aug. 15, ended without any agreement on the war in Ukraine.
According to Bridzhe, Putin understands that Trump views the Ukrainian crisis largely through the lens of an economic deal, one that could involve both Russia and Ukraine and eventually bring the European Union on board. “This approach may ultimately prove to be the only viable path to ending the conflict,” he said.
However, the analyst stressed that Putin cannot concede territories currently held by the Ukrainian army, particularly in the country’s east. “Any territorial concessions would contradict Russia’s strategic interests and provoke anger within the Russian military,” he noted.
Bridzhe added that the summit served as a platform for Moscow to present its position in a measured way. “Trump seeks to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia, but he is beginning to realize the issue is far more complicated, especially given the divided positions of European Union countries toward the crisis,” he said.
On Saturday, Putin himself said Russia prefers an immediate halt to hostilities in Ukraine.