Putin Responds in Gesture When Asked About Civilian Killings—Alaska Summit with Trump Draws Global Attention

During his arrival at Alaska’s Elmendorf-Richardson Airbase for a high-profile summit with Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin was met with intense media scrutiny—including a pointed question from a journalist: “When will you stop killing common people?”

Putin’s reaction was telling. In front of the cameras and gathered press, he simply smiled and gestured towards his ears, suggesting that he wasn’t listening or was ignoring the question, rather than responding verbally. The setting was charged, with American military aircraft—including fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber—soaring overhead, underscoring the weight of the occasion.

Key Moments and Reactions

• Trump-Putin Camaraderie: Upon meeting, Trump shook hands with Putin and personally escorted him to the iconic presidential car ‘The Beast,’ rather than letting him travel in his own Russian convoy. This marked Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade.

• Putin’s Remark on Ukraine War: In their conversation, Putin claimed, “If Donald Trump had been US President in 2022, this conflict with Ukraine would not have started.” He emphasized the need to repair US-Russia relations and lamented the difficult period that followed after Trump’s presidency.

• Putin’s Ukraine Stand: The Russian leader reiterated his conditions for ending the war:

  • Ukraine’s foreign and defence policy must align with Russia.

  • Russia will retain control over occupied territories (Luhansk, Kherson, Crimea).

  • Ukraine must not join NATO.

  • Western sanctions should be lifted.

  • Russia seeks new business deals with American and Western companies to revive its economy.

Context

Putin’s gesture in response to questions about civilian casualties reflects his typical approach of sidestepping direct criticism regarding Russia’s military actions. The summit, laden with symbolism and geopolitical undertones, highlights continuing global concerns about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the prospects of peace talks.