Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) expressed that upcoming peace negotiations in Alaska between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could be seen as a “positive step.”
“If the Ukrainians manage to reach an agreement that aligns with their needs, then it’s definitely a move in the right direction. We all desire to see an end to the violence,” he mentioned during an interview with Dana Bash on CNN’s “Union Status.”
The meeting is set for August 15th, where Trump and Putin will discuss the peace deal. Additional reports indicate that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might join the discussions next week, as stated by the White House and NATO ambassador Matthew Whitaker.
“The president is open to a trilateral summit with both leaders and is currently planning a bilateral meeting at President Putin’s request,” a senior White House official informed News Nation’s Libby Dean on Saturday.
Recently, Putin proposed a ceasefire agreement that includes certain land concessions from Ukraine, which the Trump administration has indicated could be part of the discussion.
In response, Zelensky took to social media to express his concerns, stating, “A decision made without Ukraine is essentially a decision for peace. They are achieving nothing; these choices lead to more death. We need genuine peace, not just any peace,” he wrote.
According to Trump, the discussions next week in Alaska will focus on these land concessions.
“Look at the territory contested over the past three and a half years; both Russian and Ukrainian lives have been lost. It’s a complex situation, but we see it as vital to move forward,” he noted.
Putin hasn’t set foot on U.S. soil since 2015 during the Obama administration and hasn’t met directly with Biden since 2021.
When reflecting on Putin’s presence on U.S. soil, Sanders remarked, “Many, many Russian soldiers have died, and the suffering among Ukrainians is immense. [Putin] sought to instigate one of the largest wars in Europe since World War II, so I cannot say I’m a fan of Vladimir Putin.”
