American journalists shouted three questions to Vladimir Putin, at the beginning of the summit with Donald Trump. Putin refused to answer
Vladimir Putin cries for reporters. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP / Profimedia
The President of Russia was assaulted by reporters with questions about the possibility of an armistice, but preferred to keep silence, writes CNN.
Vladimir Putin did not answer reporters' questions before the first round of discussions with Donald Trump in Alaska.
He was asked if he would agree with an armistice, if he were to stop killing civilians and why Trump should trust his word now.
The Kremlin leader kept silence. Putin was then seen shouting something in the direction of the press, but it is not clear what he said.
Trump's optimism
Donald Trump arrived in Alaska on Friday for the summit with Vladimir Putin declaring that he wants to see “today” a armistice in the Ukraine war.
Observers say there is little chance of getting it.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski and his European allies actually fear that Trump could betray Ukraine, accepting conflict freezing and recognizing Russia's control over a fifth of Ukraine.
Trump has tried to calm these concerns, repeatedly asserting in recent days that he would let Ukraine decide on any territorial exchanges.
“I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I'm here to bring them to the negotiations,” he said.
Asked what would make the meeting a success, he stressed: “I want to see a quick armistice. I will not be satisfied if it will not be today. I want the killings to stop.”
What little wants
Russia said on Wednesday that his position on the end of the Ukraine war has not changed since President Vladimir Putin set his conditions last year: the complete withdrawal of Kiev forces in the key regions of Ukraine and the renunciation of NATO's adherence, informs Reuters.
Russia currently controls 19% of Ukraine, including the whole Crimea, the entire Lugansk region, over 70% of the Donetk, Zapoari and Herson regions, as well as fragments from the regions of Kharkov, Sumî, Nikoalev and Dnipropetrovsk.
After some media reported that Washington understood that Putin is ready to compromise on his territorial claims, reporters asked the deputy spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexei Fadeev, whether Russia's position has changed or not.
“Russia's position remains unchanged and was expressed in this room a little over a year ago, on June 14, 2024,” said Fadeev, referring to a speech that Putin then held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow.
At that time, in the largest public statements until then on the form of a possible solution, the Kremlin chief presented a series of requests, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the areas of Donetk, Zapoarie and Herson that he still controls.
Putin also said that Kiev will have to officially notify Moscow that he is giving up his plans to join the NATO military alliance led by the US and that he intends to remain neutral.
In addition, Putin said that the rights and freedoms of Russian speakers in Ukraine will have to be guaranteed and recognize the “reality” that the Crimea Peninsula and the Lugansk, Donetk, Zaporojie and Herson regions are now part of Russia.
Putin said that his conditions will have to be reflected in international agreements. At the time of his 2024 speech, Ukraine rejected his requests, considering them equivalent to an absurd ultimatum.
Ukraine has repeatedly stated that it will never recognize the Russian occupation of its territory, and most countries recognize the territory of Ukraine in its 1991 borders.
Based on the current front lines, Putin's request would involve the surrender to Russia of an additional 21,000 km².
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said Russia must accept an armistice before discussing territorial issues. He would reject any Russian proposal for Ukraine to withdraw his troops from Donbas and give up his defensive lines.
