The political scientist commented on the meeting between Putin and Trump in Anchorage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump demonstrated mutual respect and defended the interests of their countries during their meeting in Anchorage. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Earl Rasmussen told Izvestia about this on August 16.

"You can see from their body language that they have mutual respect, but everyone is aware of their responsibility to their people," he said.

Rasmussen added that the different interests of the two presidents do not affect their interaction. According to him, Putin and Trump have a good personal relationship.

In addition, he clarified that Russia and the United States want to avoid an escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, and the only source of tension is the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). Rasmussen noted that it was Western countries that provoked the outbreak of the conflict, and the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, depends on the financing of Western states.

He also added that the American leader is able to stop supporting Kiev and shift responsibility to former US President Joe Biden, whose course is followed by Europe. According to the political scientist, European states will not be able to compensate for the reduction in American aid.

"If I were Trump and I couldn't get Europe and Ukraine to agree, I would just quit the game. Let this remain a Biden conflict. I agree with Putin: if Trump had won last time, this conflict would not have happened," Rasmussen said.

"Russia and the USA have something to offer each other"

The press conference of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump following the summit in Alaska. Main quotes

The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump took place on the territory of the American military base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, and lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Following the talks, Putin noted Trump's desire for a settlement in Ukraine, stressing that Russia is also interested in ending the conflict. Trump, in turn, pointed to the great progress made during the negotiations.

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