Kremlin: No documents expected after Putin–Trump Alaska summit
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The Kremlin says no agreements will be signed at the Putin–Trump summit in Alaska, but the leaders will discuss “the most difficult issues” at Elmendorf-Richardson base.
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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki Finaldn on July 16, 2018 (AP)
No agreements or formal documents are expected to be signed following the upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
“No, it is not expected, nothing has been prepared,” Peskov told reporters when asked about possible post-summit signings.
Leaders to discuss “most difficult issues”
Peskov confirmed that Putin and Trump intend to address the most challenging topics in their talks, set for Friday at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. local time (19:30 GMT).
“President Putin and President Trump intend to talk, they are ready to talk and will discuss the most difficult issues,” he said, adding that the leaders will outline possible agreements and understandings during the summit.
Peskov noted that such mutual political will is “in short supply” internationally, saying, “We probably will not get an adequate response, for example, from the Europeans.”
The Kremlin spokesman said the Russian delegation at the Alaska summit would be “representative and large,” underscoring the significance Moscow places on the talks.
Trump warns Russia of consequences if no Ukraine deal reached
Trump on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Russia, cautioning that failure to reach a deal on Ukraine during his upcoming meeting with Putin could result in serious repercussions. The high-stakes summit is set to take place on August 15 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, a site chosen for its strategic location and neutrality, as well as its distance from jurisdictions that might otherwise complicate Putin's travel.
"There will be very severe consequences," Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center when asked about the potential fallout for Russia if no agreement is reached.
The summit, described by White House officials as a "listening exercise," is expected to center on discussions around a potential ceasefire in Ukraine and Trump's suggestion of territorial adjustments as part of a broader peace settlement. Although no formal proposals have been announced, Trump's openness to "land swap" solutions has triggered alarm among both Ukrainian and European leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Trump signaled optimism about the possibility of future engagement.
"There's a very good chance that we're going to have a second meeting [with Putin] which will be more productive than the first, because [in] the first, I'm going to find out where we are and what we're doing again," Trump said. "If the first one goes okay, we'll have a quick second one. I would like to do it almost immediately."
