Russian invasion

Voices about the negotiations
The key question: What happens to the remaining 80 percent?

The best possible scenario for Ukraine and the EU at this stage of the negotiations is likely to limit Russia's gains to the existing front line, instead of giving in to Putin's demand to get all of Donbas. That's the assessment of the Wall Street Journal.

"The biggest question, however, is what happens to the remaining 80 percent of Ukraine," the newspaper writes.

The war could end like the Korean War in 1953. The Korean peninsula is still divided, but South Korea is protected by robust security guarantees from the outside world, not least from the United States. But to "only" get 20 percent of Ukraine - the bombed-out part - while preventing Russia from taking another meter would be "a historic defeat" for Putin.

Clearly worse for Ukraine would be to give in to Putin's far-reaching demands to limit its army and weapons stockpiles, replace its government and accept changes in language and culture. Such concessions risk turning the remaining 80 percent into a Russian puppet state that will be very vulnerable to future Russian attacks, writes WSJ.

Russian newspapers are happy that Trump abandons ceasefire

Russian newspapers agree that the Alaska meeting was a major diplomatic success for Russia. This is reported by the BBC's Russia correspondent Steve Rosenberg in his daily news sweep "Reading Russia".

Several of the more or less Kremlin-loyal newspapers note that Donald Trump abandoned the idea of a ceasefire after the meeting and instead aims for a more comprehensive peace agreement immediately.

"Trump himself came to that conclusion after his conversation with the Russian president. And this is an obvious tactical victory for Russian diplomacy", writes the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets.

According to another newspaper, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Putin explained to Trump that a temporary ceasefire is disadvantageous to Russia because it loses its momentum at the front. Therefore, a negotiated peace treaty is clearly better for Russia: While Ukraine and the EU will categorically “refuse peace,” the Russian army can continue to advance, the newspaper writes.

Voices about the Alaska meeting
Russian source: Putin gave nothing – but got everything

Moscow is jubilant after President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Donald Trump on Saturday night, writes The Guardian.

The fact that Russia left the meeting without facing any new sanctions despite Putin rejecting a ceasefire is seen by many as a victory.

“Putin gave nothing to Trump, but still got everything he wanted. Trump finally listened to his demands,” says a source in the Russian foreign policy establishment.

The meeting between world leaders was shorter than planned and the meeting with the economic delegations was scrapped, which can be seen as no economic incentives seemed to influence Putin.

Before the meeting, Trump said he would not be happy if he left Alaska without a ceasefire and he also threatened “serious consequences.”

The world's response
Melania's words to Putin: "It's time"

Melania Trump, the first lady of the United States, left a letter to Vladimir Putin in connection with the meeting in Alaska. In the letter, she appeals to the Russian president and asks him "as a parent" to think about the children and their future.

The letter is said to be about the Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia since the invasion began in 2022.

"Mr. Putin, you can single-handedly restore their melodious laughter," says the letter, which Fox News published in its entirety.

She writes that all children dream of having love, opportunities and protection from danger.

"You, Mr. Putin, are the right person to implement this vision with a stroke of a pen today, it's time."