Outrage as Trump praises 'smart guy' Putin for bringing Russian business leaders to Alaska summit

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: President Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for bringing a delegation of Russian business leaders to the Alaska summit.

Trump, however, suggested that talks on business cooperation would only move forward once there was progress toward peace in the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine.

Donald Trump eyes business opportunities with Vladimir Putin if progress is made toward peace

Donald Trump pointed out that Vladimir Putin’s decision to include business representatives signaled economic opportunities if peace efforts advanced.

“I noticed he’s bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that’s good. I like that because they want to do business, but they’re not doing business until we get the war solved,” said Trump aboard Air Force One.

“If we make progress, I would discuss it, because that’s one of the things that they would like; they’d like to get a piece of what I built in terms of the economy,” Trump continued.

Vladimir Putin gets Donald Trump’s praise for political experience

Ahead of the summit, Donald Trump reflected on Vladimir Putin’s long-standing role in global politics and their working relationship.

"He's a smart guy, been doing it [politics] for a long time but so have I ... We get along, there's a good respect level on both sides, and I think, you know, something's going to come of it," Trump told journalists on Air Force One en route to Anchorage, Alaska.

This meeting marks the first direct encounter between the two leaders since June 2021 and the first time a Russian leader has visited Alaska.

Donald Trump says Ukraine should decide territorial matters

President Trump made clear that he would not be making territorial agreements for Ukraine and described his role as a facilitator.

“I’ve got to let Ukraine make that decision, and I think they’ll make a proper decision, but I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine,” he told reporters, describing his role as bringing Putin “to the table.”

He said he expected the summit to go well but warned that he would leave quickly if it did not.

“Then I’m leaving, yes,” he told Fox News’ Bret Baier. Trump also said a ceasefire must happen quickly.

“I want to see a ceasefire, rapidly. I don’t know if it’s going to be today, but I’m not going to be happy if it’s not today,” he added. “Everyone said it can’t be today, but I’m just saying I want the killing to stop.”

Internet reacts to Donald Trump’s praise for Vladimir Putin

Many on social media criticized President Donald Trump’s remarks and questioned the nature of the summit.

“Let the sellout begin!” one person wrote on X.

Another user asked, “Why is Putin bringing ‘business people’ to a discussion of a war?”

“Because it’s not a discussion on war. It’s a business meeting. Ukraine being the cake to share,” read another comment.

“Lavrov shows up wearing a CCCP sweatshirt and Trump is giddy. Confused?” another post stated.

One user asked, “Ask him why that is good.”

“I thought this was a peace summit, not let’s make a deal,” another wrote, while a separate post read, “Sounds like it’s a business deal for Trump himself.”

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