A heat handshake, massive smiles, and a crimson carpet – this was the welcome for Vladimir Putin as he touched down on US soil for important negotiations on the struggle in Ukraine.
There had been a lot build-up to the summit in Anchorage, Alaska, not least from Donald Trump himself – with the US president having threatened “severe” penalties for Russia ought to it not go nicely.
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Pic: AP/ Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Here’s what was anticipated from the assembly – based mostly on info from the White Home, Mr Trump and the Kremlin beforehand – and what occurred on the evening.
One-on-one was three-on-three
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Russia’s International Minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio additionally attended the talks. Pic: AP/ Julia Demaree Nikhinson
It was thought this could be a one-on-one assembly between Mr Trump and Mr Putin.
As an alternative, the US president was joined by US secretary of state Marco Rubio and particular envoy Steve Witkoff, whereas the Russian chief was supported by his international affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov and Russian international minister Sergei Lavrov.
The change appeared to point the White Home was maybe taking a extra guarded strategy than throughout a 2018 assembly in Helsinki, the place Mr Trump and Mr Putin met privately with interpreters. The US chief then shocked the world by siding with the Russian chief over US intelligence officers on whether or not Russia meddled within the 2016 presidential marketing campaign.
Rolling out the crimson carpet
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Pic: AP/ Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Mr Putin was given the sort of reception sometimes reserved for shut US allies, belying the bloodshed and the struggling within the struggle he began.
The 2 males greeted one another with a handshake and a smiling Mr Trump even applauded the Russian president as he approached him on the crimson carpet.
Our worldwide affairs editor Dominic Waghorn, in Kyiv, gauged the Ukrainian response to the arrival – and stated individuals had been livid on the welcome prolonged by the Trump staff.
Photographs of US troopers on their knees, unfurling the crimson carpet on the steps of the Russian chief’s aircraft, went viral, he stated, with social media “lit up with fury, anger, and disgust”.
He added: “There are different ways of welcoming a world leader to this type of event, and Trump has gone all out to give a huge welcome to Putin, which is sticking in the craw of Ukrainians.”
Any questions?
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Pic: Reuters/ Kevin Lamarque
A lot. However nobody was actually given an opportunity to ask.
Forward of the talks, cameras had been allowed inside for only a minute – and whereas this was sufficient time for a couple of journalists to shout some questions, these had been ignored by the 2 leaders.
“President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” one shouted. In response, Mr Putin put his hand as much as his ear as if he couldn’t hear.
Of their temporary media convention after the talks, Mr Putin spoke for nearly 9 minutes, whereas Trump took simply three-and-a-half to say what he needed to say.
The 2 males then didn’t keep to reply questions from reporters.
Earlier than the occasion, the Kremlin stated it might final between six and 7 hours, however the entire go to lasted about four-and-a-half hours.
‘Extreme penalties’
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Pic: AP/ Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Ever since his inauguration in January, Mr Trump had been threatening critical penalties for Russia ought to a deal on Ukraine not be reached quickly. Simply two days after the ceremony, he took to social media to declare there may very well be “high levels of taxes, tariffs and sanctions” and referred to as for an finish to the “ridiculous” struggle.
In February, he held what he described as a “productive” name with the Russian chief, and about two weeks later he infamously berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy throughout a go to to the Oval Workplace – this one happening in entrance of the world’s media.
In July, he began to set deadlines for an finish to the struggle – first giving Mr Putin 50 days and later decreasing this to “10 or 12 days”, earlier than asserting the summit final week.
Yesterday, Mr Trump insisted his Russian counterpart was “not going to mess around with me”.
Nonetheless, whereas each males insisted the talks had been “productive”, it isn’t clear what agreements have been reached, and whether or not Ukraine is any nearer to discovering peace. The phrase ceasefire was not talked about by both chief. As an alternative, they praised one another, with Mr Trump describing Mr Putin’s remarks as “very profound” – and there was no point out of sanctions.
A gathering with Mr Zelenskyy?
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Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy met on the White Home in February. Pic: Reuters/ Brian Snyder
It was anticipated that after the talks, Mr Trump might set the desk for the following assembly with the Ukrainian president.
Whereas he stated he would name Mr Zelenskyy, he made no public dedication to a gathering through the media convention.
“They’re going to set up a meeting now, between President Zelenskyy and President Putin and myself, I guess,” Mr Trump stated. He additionally stated that European nations “have to get involved a little bit” however it’s “really up to President Zelenskyy to get it done”.
Putin introduced his personal limo – however travelled in The Beast as an alternative
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A US Secret Service agent stands subsequent to ‘The Beast’. Pic: AP/ Luis M Alvarez
After shaking palms on the crimson carpet, the 2 leaders made their means in direction of their ready automobiles.
However regardless of Mr Putin arriving together with his “Aurus” limousine, and it being noticed on the tarmac close to the planes, he acquired into the American presidential limousine, often called “The Beast”, to journey to the assembly location.
The Russian president was seen with a large smile on his face, whereas Mr Trump gave the impression to be waving to the crowds.
