At the Alaska Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the war in Ukraine would not have occurred if Donald Trump had been in the White House in 2022. Speaking at their first in-person meeting in five years, Putin endorsed Trump’s long-standing claim that his presidency alone could have deterred the invasion. Both leaders described the talks as constructive, with Putin calling Alaska a fitting venue due to the nations’ shared history.
Putin emphasized that Moscow and Washington had now reestablished “very good direct contacts” following what he described as a “very difficult period” in bilateral relations. He stressed the importance of correcting past tensions to pave the way for cooperation.
Reflecting on the historical ties between the two countries, the Russian leader said that the legacy of fighting common enemies in the past could guide future relations. “This heritage will help us in the years ahead,” Putin told reporters, underscoring the potential for renewed engagement between the U.S. and Russia.
