Is Kyiv Attempting to Sabotage Upcoming Trump-Putin Talks?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Russian Defence Ministry claims Ukraine is planning a provocation to disrupt the Trump-Putin meeting.
- Allegations include sending foreign journalists to document civilian casualties.
- The meeting is a critical step towards resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Potential provocations could affect international relations and media portrayal.
- Future meetings are expected to take place in Russia.
Moscow, Aug 13 (NationPress) The Russian Defence Ministry accused the Ukrainian government on Wednesday of orchestrating a provocation designed to obstruct the impending meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15.
In a message on Telegram, the Russian Defence Ministry stated, "Based on intelligence gathered from various channels, the Kyiv regime is plotting a provocation to derail the Russian-American discussions scheduled for August 15, 2025."
The ministry claimed that the Ukrainian security service has dispatched a group of foreign journalists to Chuguev in Kharkiv, which is under Ukrainian control, under the guise of conducting "reports on the residents in the frontline zone."
Furthermore, the ministry alleged that Ukrainian forces plan to execute strikes on the city and attribute the responsibility to Russia.
"In the lead-up to the summit on Friday, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are preparing a provocative attack using UAVs and missiles targeting a crowded residential area or a hospital, which will result in significant civilian casualties, all of which will be promptly documented by foreign journalists," the Russian Defence Ministry asserted.
Consequently, the ministry indicated that Russian forces "will be held entirely accountable for the attacks and civilian losses."
This situation could foster a negative media atmosphere, jeopardizing Russian-American cooperation aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine," the statement continued.
It also warned of potential provocations in other Ukrainian-held territories.
This allegation comes as Trump and Putin are preparing to meet on August 15 in Alaska to discuss a long-term peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trump shared on Truth Social, "The eagerly awaited meeting between me and Putin is set for next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. More details will follow."
Post the upcoming summit, Moscow anticipates that the next meeting between Putin and Trump will occur in Russia, according to Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov.
"Looking forward, we should aim for the next meeting to take place on Russian soil," Ushakov was quoted by the state-run news agency TASS as stating.
"An official invitation has already been extended to the US President," he added.