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The upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska has been dubbed a “summit” by various media outlets, a term that seems to stem more from the White House’s public relations playbook than from any substantive diplomatic reality. This characterization appears to be a comforting narrative that corporate media outlets are echoing, perhaps out of fear or misplaced optimism.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) offered a more incisive perspective during his appearance on CBS’s Face The Nation.
When asked about the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions against Russia, Kelly responded:
I have no intention of supporting that.
Putin is waging an illegal war, deliberately targeting civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. During my visit to Ukraine months ago, I witnessed harrowing scenes in a veterans’ hospital, where the staff recounted unimaginable atrocities.
Therefore, we must intensify our pressure on Putin and Russia, ensuring they face consequences for this unlawful aggression against our NATO ally.
As for the gathering in Alaska, I hope it yields something beneficial. It’s a travesty to grant a war criminal the opportunity to land in the U.S. and engage in discussions with our president.
I can’t say for certain what the parameters of this engagement were, but one would hope that this administration secured something substantive from the encounter.
This should not be portrayed as a significant moment in international relations for the United States.
Welcoming someone like Putin—who has instigated a war that results in the deaths of innocent Ukrainians—on American soil is an affront to democratic values.
Given Trump’s history of engaging with authoritarian leaders, one might question whether any meaningful assurances or concessions were obtained in exchange for offering this Russian leader a global platform.
Putin’s presence in the U.S. is unjustifiable; individuals responsible for the deaths of civilians, be it Putin or leaders like Netanyahu, ought to face accountability for war crimes.
Moreover, the mainstream media should reject the terminology favored by the White House.
Ultimately, this is about the President of the United States extending a welcome to a war criminal on American territory.
What are your thoughts on Senator Kelly’s characterization of the Trump-Putin meeting? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below.
