So how is the west and how is Russia reacting to the Summit meeting this Friday between Putin and Trump?

European leaders are slamming Trump for not including Ukraine in the summit. Trump is already scrambling to find a way to get Ukraine involved, if not in the initial meeting, then insubsequent meetings. A joint statement put out by a number of European ministers included the following,

“Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.”

How did Russia react upon hearing of the summit meeting?

Russia is crowing about the fact that Trump is meeting with Putin without Putin, having to make any concessions and without Zelensky being there. Russia loves the symbolism of the meeting, being held in Alaska given that Alaska was Russian territory until 1867.

“Born as Russian America — Orthodox roots, forts, fur trade — Alaska echoes those ties and makes the U.S. an Arctic nation.”

Sam Greene, a professor of Russian politics, at Kings College, in London Ontario commented on the Russian reaction as follows,

“The symbolism of holding the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska is horrendous — as though designed to demonstrate that borders can change, land can be bought and sold. Never mind that mainstream Russian discourse maintains a claim that Alaska should be returned to Russia.”

Nothing good can come out of this summit. This is a lose-lose for Trump and a win-win for Putin. Trump likes to brag about how he is great in zero sum games, where he wins, and the opposition loses Now he is playing against the master of those games, in Putin.

That’s all I have for today.