Putin-Trump Talks: Progress on Ukraine Conflict

Vico wrote on his social media page: “President Vladimir Putin informed me about the progress of negotiations with US President Donald Trump in Alaska and the prospects for ending this military conflict. Through this important conversation, I reached several conclusions and messages that I intend to convey to Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.” The Slovak Prime Minister said that his conversation with Putin mainly focused on the conflict in Ukraine. Putin said, “We now see a kind of hysteria being constantly stirred about Russia’s alleged plans to attack Europe. I think this is a clear provocation or complete impotence for reasonable people. Because any reasonable person fully understands that Russia never had, does not have, and will never have any desire to attack anyone.” Putin pointed out that Russia’s sole aim in Ukraine is to protect its interests, as it “had to defend its interests and the peoples whose lives and destinies are linked with Russia, by our history and traditions,” and that formed the “essence of the conflict” which resulted from “aggressive behavior from the other side.” In an unprecedented visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin began a four-day tour in China, where he participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits in Tianjin, northern China, and will participate in events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. During the tour, the Russian President held a series of meetings with a large number of state leaders. Putin and Trump had met on August 15th and discussed ways to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, with both leaders describing the meeting as positive. Following the talks, they indicated the two countries’ commitment to achieving tangible results and highlighted many areas of joint work. The presidents also expressed their readiness to work on ending the conflict in Ukraine. Putin confirmed the possibility of resolving the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing Russia’s interest in a long-term settlement of the situation.