Did Putin Break Protocol at the Alaska News Conference?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Putin breaks protocol by speaking first at the conference.
- Historical ties between the US and Russia were emphasized.
- No formal agreements were reached regarding Ukraine.
- Both leaders acknowledged progress, but uncertainty remains.
- The atmosphere was described as generally positive.
Anchorage (Alaska), Aug 16 (NationPress) – In a notable joint press conference with a US President since 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew upon historical, geographical, and 'neighbourly' relationships with the US, while remaining vague regarding the situation in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Putin held a press briefing on Friday after their lengthy discussions in Alaska, which lasted nearly three hours.
Typically, during a joint press conference, the American leader speaks first. However, in Anchorage, Alaska, Putin disregarded this custom.
The Russian leader opened the event, addressing the audience in Russian while Donald Trump stood a few meters away, silently. He greeted the assembly with a message he purportedly shared on the tarmac: “Good day, dear neighbour, hope you're well.”
Putin emphasized Alaska's historical significance as a former Russian territory, framing the US and Russia as intertwined through geography and a “shared history,” presenting himself as a collaborator rather than an adversary.
“An in-person meeting was long overdue,” he expressed, adding that he and Trump now enjoy “very good direct contact.”
Much of Putin's introductory comments focused on the historical context of US-Russia relations, postponing discussions about agreements until the end.
When he finally addressed the situation in Ukraine, he claimed the two leaders had agreed to “pave the path to peace” but did not provide any specifics.
He argued that the “root causes” of Russia's concerns must be resolved before a comprehensive deal can be achieved, a statement often interpreted as demands that Kyiv and Europe have rejected.
Putin reiterated that Russia perceives Ukrainians as “a brotherly people” and insisted that Ukraine's security “must be ensured,” yet avoided detailing how that would happen.
Trump acknowledged progress but made it clear that no final agreement had been reached. “We haven't quite got there, but we've made some progress,” he remarked. “There's no deal until there's a deal.”
President Trump departed Alaska without a signed agreement, a scenario anticipated by some of his advisers, as Ukraine was not part of the discussions and would need to consent to any settlement affecting its territory.
Despite the friendly tone and symbolism of a joint appearance, the first between Putin and a US President since the 2018 Helsinki summit, Putin's language indicated he remains steadfast in his long-held positions.
He emphasized economic collaboration with the US and urged European countries not to “torpedo the nascent progress” achieved during the Alaska meeting.
The Russian state media reported Ambassador Alexander Darchiev's comments describing the discussions as “generally positive.”
This joint press conference is a rarity; the previous occasion was in Helsinki, where Trump faced criticism for siding with Russia over US intelligence on 2016 election interference.
When President Biden met Putin in Geneva in 2021, he opted for a solo briefing, denying the Russian leader the opportunity to control the narrative.
By breaking protocol and taking the microphone first in Alaska, Putin ensured the narrative commenced on his terms, even in the absence of a signed peace deal.