“Idealism is the despot of thought, just as politics is the despot of will”
Here's Mark Galeotti's overview of the Russian press responses to the Trump-Putin (or was it Putin-Trump?) Alaska Summit:
The Russian press published “snap responses” on Saturday, August 16, 2025, regarding the Alaska Summit. These initial reports appeared before Donald Trump’s social media post, in which he declared the goal was now a “comprehensive peace agreement” rather than just a ceasefire. This shift was seen as “essentially accepting Putin’s own position and talking points,” meaning the war would continue until a comprehensive resolution was reached. The speaker predicted that the tenor of future press reports would likely be “even more upbeat” following Trump’s post.
Rossiyskaya Gazeta
The government paper Rossiyskaya Gazeta – “Summit is over. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s meeting will open the way to peace in Ukraine”, described as “very bullish and confident.”
It noted that leaders decided not to publicize results for now but claimed significant progress had been made. Putin did not rule out ending the conflict and emphasized willingness to work with Ukraine for its security — though the speaker noted, “Something which I think many Ukrainians will find rather hard to believe.”
Foreign policy interpreter Phil Lukanov compared the meeting to the 1985 Geneva summit between Gorbachev and Reagan, arguing that while no substantive agreement emerged, communication reached a “qualitatively different level.”
Lukanov emphasized, “At least they are talking — Americans and the Russians.” The outcome, in his view, was neither Trump’s desired “peaceful blitzkrieg” nor an “empty meeting,” but a continuation of the positional diplomatic standoff. Still, the paper considered it positive that communication had been re-established.
Izvestia
Izvestia – “Putin and Trump proved negotiations are possible” quoted Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, who wrote on Telegram that the summit proved “negotiations are possible without preconditions and simultaneously with the continuation of the special military operation.” This line — that peace talks can occur while fighting continues — has long been Putin’s position, and now appears echoed by Trump.
Another piece in Izvestia – “Alaska delighted by Putin’s visit” emphasized how “the people of Alaska were… delighted by Putin’s visit,” calling it an event of “exceptional importance.” It claimed Anchorage was at the center of world politics for the first time in a century, with street artists creating slogans “for peace and for Russia.”
The speaker countered that this portrayal was “not the impression I’ve got from other news accounts,” which highlighted Ukrainian flags instead. Two points stood out:
- It suggested that the war is being pushed by “the elites, the deep state,” while ordinary people want positive relations with Russia.
- It drew a contrast with Europe, implying the U.S. population is more open to reconciliation.
Komsomolskaya Pravda
A columnist in Komsomolskaya Pravda – “Europe must push Zelensky to peace” declared it was now “up to President Zelensky” and urged Europeans to become “more active” — not to help Kyiv, but to pressure Zelensky into peace.
The paper claimed that until the final hour “screams were heard from Kiev” and Europe insisted Trump should impose sanctions if Putin refused a ceasefire. It portrayed Ukraine and the EU as trying to “trap Trump” — a narrative painting Trump as the victim of European pressure.
Another columnist in Komsomolskaya Pravda – “Ukraine must choose” suggested Ukraine could now exit “someone else’s war” and that sabotaging U.S.–Russia proposals would amount to admitting ownership of the conflict. The paper concluded that without U.S. support, Kyiv and its allies “have no guts” and must either accept Trump’s deal or face inevitable defeat.
Moskovsky Komsomolets
Moskovsky Komsomolets – “Russian diplomacy has won — it’s up to the military now” ran with the headline: “Russian diplomacy has won — it’s up to the military now.”
The paper argued the summit had “given Russia more time to achieve its goals on the battlefield.”
Ruslan Pukov, head of CAST, said: “Russian diplomacy is definitely a winner. Now it’s up to the military to back it up with ironclad arguments.” He hinted that failure would result in “heads rolling.”
Military writer Alexei Sukonkin claimed Ukrainian society was filled with “betrayal, pain, and collapsed hopes,” and argued surrendering in 2022 would have left them “drinking Jiguli beer now.” He insisted the front was moving — “painfully glacially slowly,” the speaker noted — but nonetheless toward “eliminating the root causes of the conflict.” The conclusion: victory must be military and capitulation unconditional.
Vedomosti
The business paper Vedomosti – “Experts cautiously optimistic after Alaska summit” highlighted voices from Russian civilian and academic experts, generally expressing “cautious optimism” about the summit and the possibility of a future deal.
Kommersant
Kommersant – “Dialogue between Trump and Putin: a step in the right direction” incorporated Western perspectives and cited China Daily, which argued that despite obstacles, the leaders’ dialogue “created a channel of communication” and brought “a certain amount of trust in diplomacy.” The summit was described as “a step in the right direction.”
Argumenty (ex-Ukrainian MP Aleveev)
Former Ukrainian parliamentarian Aleveev, now in Russia, told a newspaper that Zelensky was “silent at the moment” because he needed instructions from European curators, particularly Britain — portrayed as “the source of all Russia’s ills.”
He added that Zelensky could not criticize Trump without directly crossing him, forcing a restrained response. This was presented as reassurance to Russian readers that Zelensky was “trapped by what Trump says.”
Zavtra (Nationalist)
While Zavtra – “10 reasons why the Putin–Trump summit has gone down in history” carried plenty of what the speaker called “dross,” one article stood out: “10 reasons why the Putin–Trump summit has already gone down in history.”
It listed four “unconditional achievements” for Moscow:
- Driving a wedge between the U.S. and Europe with Kyiv. The speaker dismissed this as overstated, noting divisions already existed.
- Collapse of the West’s strategy to isolate Russia. Critics like Bolton, in trying to attack Trump, “necessarily build up Putin,” though sanctions remain in place.
- Kyiv sidelined. Negotiations occurred without Ukraine, though the speaker stressed Zelensky still effectively retains veto power.
- Signal to allies. If Washington acknowledges Moscow, others should too. The speaker interpreted this emphasis as betraying insecurity within Moscow’s nationalist circles, especially post-2022.
Overall, Zavtra cast the summit as a “massive triumph,” but the speaker cautioned that much of this was projection, noting that “in Trump world, one never really knows what comes next.”
