US President Donald Trump headed to Alaska for a summit with his Russian counterpart on Friday — determined to stop the ongoing Ukraine war. Officials have described the pre-summit mood as ‘combative’ with Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev revealing that the two leaders would discuss the ‘full spectrum of bilateral relations’ over the next few hours. Arrangements made in Alaska for the visiting Russians have also sparked debate, with some accusing US authorities of bias.
‘Catastrophic’ conditions
“The lack of sockets (is) catastrophic. A all the abundance of equipment in the stay area that we have…you must charge something from your own reserves — power banks. And mobile signal, connectivity is also practically nonexistent. The internet is very slow and bad. Everywhere here,” a Russian journalist explained.
The video shared with English subtitles by the Russian state-controlled RT News handle also showed crudely made signs that marked the ‘sleeping area’ and labelled light switches and other areas. The journalist in the video can also be heard expressing confusion over the poorly translated Russian used in the signs.
“But the funniest thing that amused us was how they translated it into Russian. Lighting — lamps in general — the word lights. They just called it flames or illuminations,” she adds before panning the camera to show the label and gigantic arrow glued to the wall next to a light switch.
Another video posted on X by a ‘Russia News’ handle also highlighted the disparity in food served at the event. The clip suggested that Russian journalists were being offered rations such as bread, fruit, and packaged chips, while elaborate, well-plated meals with dessert awaited their European counterparts.
Financial Express could not independently verify the authenticity of the now-viral clips.
Trump seeks ceasefire ‘today’
Donald Trump said he wanted to see a ceasefire “today” as he headed to Alaska for a summit with Vladimir Putin to help end the deadliest war in Europe since World War Two. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the talks, and his European allies fear Trump might sell out Ukraine by essentially freezing the conflict and recognising – if only informally – Russian control over one fifth of Ukraine. Trump however sought to assuage such concerns as he boarded Air Force One, saying he would let Ukraine decide on any possible territorial swaps.
“I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table…I want to see a ceasefire rapidly… I’m not going to be happy if it’s not today… I want the killing to stop,” he said.
The U.S. and Russian presidents are due to meet at a Cold War-era air force base in Alaska’s largest city at around 11 a.m. (1900 GMT) for their first face-to-face talks since Trump returned to the White House.
Trump hopes a truce in the 3-1/2-year-old war will bolster his credentials as a global peacemaker worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
(With inputs from agencies)