"Alaska Summit: A New Chapter in Global Power Politics"

“Peace is never born from speeches alone; it is carved out in the shadows of silent negotiations.”

New lines are once again emerging on the horizon of international politics. It seems as if the centers of power are changing and old alliances are losing their shape. With new alliances like the BRICS being formed, the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska was not just a formal meeting but an event that has launched a new debate around the world. It takes months to arrange a meeting between the heads of major powers, but this meeting was arranged in a record seven days. The future of the Ukraine war, the security of Europe, the direction of the energy market, and the balance of power in Asia all revolve around this meeting. Against the backdrop of tensions between the US and Russia, Trump’s verbal bombardment, and Western sanctions, the Trump-Putin meeting is being seen as a possible “détente” (détente), i.e., an attempt to ease tensions. However, it is also clear that there is a fundamental contradiction in the interests of the two powers. Trump wants to come across as a peace-loving,

“When great powers meet in remote places, the echoes reach every corner of the globe.”

Nobel Prize-winning world leader, while Russia is reluctant to show any flexibility to maintain its geopolitical hegemony. The most talked about meeting was in the context of the Ukraine war. Although no formal peace agreement could be reached. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Western attempt to completely isolate Russia seems to be failing to some extent. Putin could not get any major practical benefit from this meeting, but he did send the message that Russia can still not be ignored on the global stage. Russian media is calling it proof that the United States is finally forced to talk to Russia. The world is currently facing an energy crisis. Europe is trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, while Asian countries have become major buyers of Russian oil. The meeting did not immediately bring any major changes in oil prices or global energy supplies, but it certainly raised the possibility that Russia will further increase its exports to India and China.

“When America and Russia speak, the rest of the world holds its breath.”

This will reduce pressure from the West and make Asian markets more dependent on Russian energy. The impact of this meeting could be particularly significant on India. The Trump administration has imposed trade tariffs on India, which has increased tensions in relations between the two countries. India is the world's third-largest importer of crude oil. By the fiscal year 2024-2025, Russia's share of India's crude oil imports will reach 35%, up from 18% before the Ukraine war. This is a cause of concern for Washington. India, which has been playing both sides of the wicket, is in a difficult position in this situation. If it stays close to the United States, relations with Russia and China may be affected, and if it takes on more independence, it will have to face American pressure.

China-Russia relations have already strengthened considerably in the past few years. After this meeting, China can play a more active role, because if the US puts pressure on India, China will try to fill this gap. As a result of US policies, a new turn may also come in the relations between India and China. Although there are border disputes and historical tensions between the two countries, economic interests can also bring them closer. It is possible that India, to overcome the pressure from the US, will increase limited cooperation with China. This situation could further complicate the balance of power in the region. The question is, are Russia and the US really getting closer? For now, the answer can be given in the negative. This was mostly a symbolic step in which the two leaders gave the impression of sitting next to each other. However, in practice, there is still a lack of trust in the relationship, and the interests of the two countries are contradictory. President Trump is also under internal pressure due to his economic policies. These policies are being debated separately in the United States and outside the United States. Trump claims that as a result of his economic policies, the US stock market has reached an all-time high, inflation has decreased, and salaries are increasing.

According to him, many major tech companies, including Apple, are returning to the United States, and hundreds of billions of dollars are being invested in the country. He called the passage of the Big Beauty Bill a major reason for the improvement in the economy and said that Apple is investing another $100 billion. While independent sources are saying that inflation has increased in the US and economic uncertainty has increased. There is a silent storm that Trump's party will have to face in the next election. In this context, America is hoping for a major breakthrough, while Russia is very cautious. The meeting between Trump and Putin apparently ended without any major decision, but this meeting is a seed that can either grow into a tree of peace or into the thorns of a new conflict in the future. For now, it can be said that the world is at a new turning point, and this meeting in Alaska is the beginning of this new journey.

“Every handshake between leaders carries the weight of history—and the risk of the future.”