Today’s US president and his Russian counterpart was described by Trump himself as a “high -end”. In a post on the Truth Social platform, the US president has been a meeting with critical geopolitical and economic implications.
The US Shipment: Heavy Diplomacy and Economics Artillery
The White House has announced the composition of the US team, which frames Trump with the key to the government’s mechanism:
- Mark Rubio (Foreign Minister)
- Howard Latnik (Minister of Commerce)
- John Ratcliff (CIA Director)
- Scott Bessed (Minister of Finance)
- Carolin Levit (White House Representative)
- Steve Whitkov (Special Envoy)
US Vice President Jay Di Vans will not give the “present”.
Their choice shows that Washington is seeking an agenda that combines geostrategic negotiations, trade agreements, economic policy and security issues. The presence of the head of the CIA suggests that secret services play an active role in both preparation and interpretation of the results of the meeting.
Russian Shipment: Signals for Defense, Diplomacy and Investments
On the Moscow side, the Kremlin released the names of the top five executives accompanying Putin:
- Yuri Usakov – (presidential adviser, former US ambassador)
- Sergei Lavrov – (Foreign Minister)
- Andrei Belusov – (Minister of Defense)
- Anton Siluanov – (Minister of Finance)
- Kiril Dmitryev – (Head of the Russian Investment Fund (RDIF))
The presence and Usakov shows clear weight in the diplomatic dimension of the talks, while the participation of the Minister of Defense is linked to the security agenda and, inevitably, to the war in Ukraine. Siluanov suggests that the financial sanctions and the possibility of their gradual lifting will be on the table.
Dmitryv, with close links to the Kremlin and international investment contacts, introduces another dimension: the opening or management of Russian relations with the world capital market.
The messages under the negotiating table
Lavrov, known for his political and symbolic moves, was not confined to the official agenda. Upon arrival in Alaska, his costume choices were considered by observers as a carefully selected message, adding another layer of political semantics to the meeting.
The betting bet
near the Anchorage, it will be behind closed doors, in the presence of only interpreters. The “settlement of the Ukrainian crisis” and bilateral issues will be on the table. There will be a working meal and a joint press conference – the first of the two leaders after Helsinki in 2018.
Trump has stated that he will know in the “first five minutes” if the meeting will perform. For their former Ambassador to Poland, Daniel Fried, the risk is to talk about a “missed opportunity” if Putin uses the time to gain an advantage in the field.
The absence of Zelenski and the fears of Europe
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has not been invited. Ukraine and several European leaders are concerned that, without its own presence, Trump and Putin can proceed with backstage agreements on Ukrainian territories.
Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump said that he “does not want to use the term sharing” but left open the possibility of territorial concessions under an agreement. His goal, he said, is a future trilateral summit with the participation of Ukraine.
Russian claims and Ukrainian denial
Moscow calls for the recognition of its sovereignty in four regions that partially possesses – Donecke, Luhank, Zaporizia and Hersona – as well as to Crimea, which annexed in 2014. In addition, it requires the cessation of Western equipment and the abandonment of the Ukrainian course.
Kiev rejects these claims as “unacceptable” and, after three rounds of negotiations, all that has been achieved so far are prisoners.
In the field of battles
On Thursday, Russia announced the occupation of two more communities in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces are trying to intercept the rapid advance, while civilian discharges continue.
A meeting with multiple fronts
The composition of the two missions functions as a mirror of the intentions and strategies of the two leaders. Washington bets on a multilevel approach that combines security, economy and trade, while Moscow brings defense, diplomacy and investment opportunities to the forefront.
Today’s meeting in Alaska is not just a summit; it is a move on the geopolitical chessboard, with each player bringing with him the most trusted “officers” with him.
