Comment by Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov on the upcoming meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump

Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov:

Colleagues,

Preparations for the meeting between the Presidents of Russia and the United States have entered their final stage. Given that the meeting was announced just five days ago – that is, during the night between last Friday and Saturday – all arrangements are being made under intense pressure. Numerous technical matters, including visa issues, are being resolved. Naturally, the primary focus remains the active development of the political components of the summit.

I can confirm that the programme for the leaders’ meeting has been agreed upon. As you are all well aware, this meeting will take place in Alaska, specifically in Anchorage, with one of the facilities at the Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Military Base serving as the venue. The proceedings are scheduled to begin tomorrow, August 15, at approximately 11:30 local time with a conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. This discussion will be held in a tête-à-tête format, naturally with interpreters present. Following this, negotiations will continue in a delegation format, extending into a working breakfast.

The list of participants has already been finalised. Given that highly sensitive and critical topics will be discussed, the negotiating parties have been limited to a select group. On the Russian side, the delegation will include: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Aide to the President for Foreign Policy Yuri Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries Kirill Dmitriev. The composition of the American delegation is also known, though it would be appropriate to await an official announcement from our American partners. Thus, in addition to the presidents themselves, each delegation will include five members. Naturally, expert teams will also be present nearby.

Upon concluding the negotiations, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will hold a joint news conference to summarise the outcomes of the discussions. Regarding the summit’s agenda, it is evident to all that the central topic will be the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, including considerations from the discussions held in the Kremlin on August 6 – as you may recall – with the participation of the US President’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. However, broader issues related to ensuring peace and security, as well as pressing international and regional matters, will also be addressed. An exchange of views on the further development of bilateral cooperation – particularly in the trade and economic spheres – is also expected. It is worth noting that this cooperation holds immense, yet regrettably underutilised, potential.

One additional point of significance: near the military base where negotiations will take place, a memorial cemetery holds the remains of nine Soviet pilots, two military personnel, and two civilians who perished between 1942 and 1945 while ferrying aircraft from the United States to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease programme. Thus, the meeting will unfold near a site of profound historical importance – one that underscores the wartime camaraderie between our nations. This symbolism is particularly resonant in this year, the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory over Nazi Germany and militarist Japan.

Colleagues, that is, broadly speaking, what I wished to convey regarding the visit, which – as I mentioned – will commence tomorrow morning local time.

Thank you.

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