Putin Seeks Recognition, Trump Eyes Peacemaker Legacy at Alaska Summit
As Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump meet in Alaska, their goals diverge sharply. Putin wants global recognition and U.S. acknowledgment that Russia is no longer isolated, while reinforcing his hold on occupied Ukrainian regions.
He hopes for a direct U.S.-Russia dialogue, sidelining Kyiv and the EU, and even hints at historical symbolism tied to Alaska. Trump, meanwhile, seeks a breakthrough to fulfill his promise of ending the Ukraine war “easily.”
Despite lowering expectations, he wants to project himself as a global peacemaker – and possibly earn a Nobel Peace Prize. Both leaders see this summit as a test of leverage, but any real deal remains uncertain.