Interested Parties,
The interpretations of the Trump/Putin (and everybody else in both gub'mints) meeting will keep coming in until we get more definitive information, which is not possible until Trump confers with Zelensky and the European and NATO mucky-mucks, because he said he would not-make-deals-without-them. Putin seemed to infer that they had agreed, and the Russian delegation were in good spirits by all accounts, but Trump and Putin made vague statements afterward, then Trump made his escape.
If they did agree-in-principle to various things (but not "one big thing"), then Trump has to go back to all of "the allies" to hash things out before he can say anything public. This is his "off-ramp", to be sure, but he really wants to do a lot og business with Russia, which would be potentially very, very beneficial for both countries in decades to come. Russia has always been a better "friend" than the UK, demanding less, and giving more, as I read that history.
Simplicius is initially disappointed, but not badly so. Historic Summit: An Empty and Underwhelming PR Spectacle, But Still Good For Relations
(The first video where Trump pats Putin's hand like an old man does, as death-jets fly overhead, and the lady reporter shouts at Putin, is cute.)
All in all I still think the meeting was a great step in US-Russian relations for many other reasons apart from Ukraine. The simple fact of open dialogue and slow-building bonhomie is well worth it after an era of no dialogue and open hostility under the likes of Biden and Obama.
We can only assume where things left off is that Trump now knows first hand precisely what Russia’s immutable demands are, and he needs to find a way to somehow package them into an acceptable form for Ukraine and Europe. The problem is, this is impossible, so for now Trump is stuck playing evasion games and hoping to buy time until the situation on the ground is more amenable, i.e. Zelensky gets desperate, or is altogether ousted.
But we’ll have to wait and see what future statements bring, as the Russian side has yet to make any definitive statements of their own about the meeting.
Lastly, for those of you who voted in the recent poll that Trump would ‘kick the can down the road’, using the meeting as a way to save himself from his own self-imposed ‘sanctions’ trap, it seems you were right. Asked about whether he would still sanction Russia, Trump replied: “Well, because the meeting went so well, we don’t have to think about that now.” https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/historic-summit-an-empty-and-underwhelming
We can only assume where things left off is that Trump now knows first hand precisely what Russia’s immutable demands are, and he needs to find a way to somehow package them into an acceptable form for Ukraine and Europe. The problem is, this is impossible, so for now Trump is stuck playing evasion games and hoping to buy time until the situation on the ground is more amenable, i.e. Zelensky gets desperate, or is altogether ousted.
But we’ll have to wait and see what future statements bring, as the Russian side has yet to make any definitive statements of their own about the meeting.
Lastly, for those of you who voted in the recent poll that Trump would ‘kick the can down the road’, using the meeting as a way to save himself from his own self-imposed ‘sanctions’ trap, it seems you were right. Asked about whether he would still sanction Russia, Trump replied: “Well, because the meeting went so well, we don’t have to think about that now.” https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/historic-summit-an-empty-and-underwhelming
Celia Farber, Global Media Meltdown As Putin And Trump Have Goodwill Peace Summit In Alaska; EU Media Openly Miserable, Zelensky Will Visit WH On Monday: What Does The 4 Quadrillion Dollar Debt Have To Do With It? "So Do They Need A Thermonuclear War? They Don't Need A Little Piddly War."
..Fail? I thought it was just phase one? Zelensky goes to DC on Monday. They succeeded, surely, in establishing the diplomacy that might lead to a peace deal.
How does global media find so many awful people to fill these positions at all these outlets? Is there an “Awful Person Global Media Academy?” Tagline: “Where We Train You In A Long, Lucrative Career In Distortion, Un-Original Thinking, And Outright Propaganda.”...
..Alex Jones says EU/NATO has a 20-30 year plan to control populations, extend the war, create a police state, sustain itself economically, and break up Russia into five parts. “That’s the official policy of the EU and NATO,” he reports.How does global media find so many awful people to fill these positions at all these outlets? Is there an “Awful Person Global Media Academy?” Tagline: “Where We Train You In A Long, Lucrative Career In Distortion, Un-Original Thinking, And Outright Propaganda.”...
HERE IS WHERE WE NEED TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION:
”We’re talking about a four quadrillion dollar global debt. So do they need a thermonuclear war? They don’t need a little piddly war.”
—Daniel Estulin in conversation with Martin Armstrong a must listen.
”Well, the EU wasn’t properly designed to begin with.” Martin Armstrong (They came to Armstrong when they were creating the Euro.) https://celiafarber.substack.com/p/global-media-meltdown-as-putin-and
Zero Hedge quick summary: Putin: "No Ukraine War If Trump Were President"; Trump: "No Deal Until There's A Deal" https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/history-making-summit-alaska-trump-en-route-meet-putin-everything-you-need-know
Sub 3 minute blow-by-blow: Pepe Escobar: Putin-Trump Summit Went Much Better Than Expected https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/escobar-putin-trump-summit-went-much-better-expected
Martin Armstrong: The Alaska Summit – And Here We Go Into September
Neocons ... have to be rubbing their hands and licking their lips with the thought of getting those $75 trillion in Russian assets and at last ruling the world as laid out in the Wolfowitz Doctrine. The computer will be correct. I can’t stop it. Perhaps humanity deserves what these people are promoting. Maybe it’s just time, as Margaret Thatcher once said to me...
..They are all pushing us into World War III, and no matter what I do, I cannot stop it. The Computer will be right. So, let’s just be prepared. Next year is a Panic Cycle. The UK says it is ready to send peacekeepers into Ukraine who will then instigate WWIII, claiming Russia violated whatever agreement. Europe is stuffed. The EU will never survive beyond 2030. https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/world-news/war/the-alaska-summit-and-here-we-go-into-september/
After a night to digest the historic Trump-Putin summit in Alaska aimed at ending the devastating war in Ukraine ... the European Council has released a joint statement. At the same time, the U.S. president posted his update on Truth Social...
Let's begin with President Trump's Truth Social post: A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO. It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up. President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Next, the European Council released a joint statement...
..EU leaders welcomed Trump's push to end the war in Ukraine. They backed his call for further talks with President Zelenskyy and signaled support for a potential trilateral summit.
Here's a summary of the statement:
Security Guarantees: Ukraine must receive ironclad security guarantees, with no restrictions on its military or foreign partnerships.
Sovereignty: Territorial decisions rest solely with Ukraine; borders cannot be changed by force.
Western Support: The U.S. and Europe pledged continued military and economic backing, with sanctions pressure on Russia maintained until a just and lasting peace is achieved.ent, Emmanuel Macron, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, the European Council president, António Costa and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/history-making-summit-alaska-trump-en-route-meet-putin-everything-you-need-know
..EU leaders welcomed Trump's push to end the war in Ukraine. They backed his call for further talks with President Zelenskyy and signaled support for a potential trilateral summit.
Here's a summary of the statement:
Security Guarantees: Ukraine must receive ironclad security guarantees, with no restrictions on its military or foreign partnerships.
Sovereignty: Territorial decisions rest solely with Ukraine; borders cannot be changed by force.
Western Support: The U.S. and Europe pledged continued military and economic backing, with sanctions pressure on Russia maintained until a just and lasting peace is achieved.ent, Emmanuel Macron, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, the Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, the European Council president, António Costa and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/history-making-summit-alaska-trump-en-route-meet-putin-everything-you-need-know
America's off-ramp: Trump Says It Will Be up to Ukraine to Decide on Territorial Swaps https://english.aawsat.com/world/5175579-trump-says-it-will-be-ukraine-decide-territorial-swaps
‘No blitzkrieg, no defeat’: What Russia’s commentariat is saying after the Putin-Trump summit
RT has compiled the reactions of Russian experts to the summit and what it means for Washington, Moscow, and the global balance of power
Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs:
Analogies are always imperfect, but the Alaska summit inevitably brought to mind the first meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in Geneva nearly forty years ago... Just like back then, no deal was struck, but the level of communication shifted dramatically...
..This time, the pace is faster. This isn’t a Cold War; it’s something hotter. There won’t be year-long pauses between summits. We’ll see follow-ups much sooner – of one kind or another. Critics will try to spin the Alaska meeting as a Trump defeat, arguing that Putin dictated the tempo and set the terms. There’s some truth to that. But if the goal is a sustainable outcome, there’s no alternative to tackling the full scope of issues head-on...
..If the process launched in Alaska continues in the same spirit, we could see an outcome that’s the reverse of what followed Geneva. Back then, Reagan pushed to end the Cold War on Washington’s terms – and succeeded. Today, what’s on the table is the end of the post-Cold War era, a time defined by unchallenged US global dominance. That shift isn’t sudden – it’s been building for years – but it’s now reached a climax. https://www.rt.com/russia/623068-russian-reactions-to-putin-trump-talks/
This morning’s interview with India’s largest global broadcaster in English, WION, has received a significant number of views. I found it interesting to peruse the Comments section, which indicates a shift in Indian public opinion away from pro-US to more balanced praise for both Russia and the US. https://gilbertdoctorow.substack.com/p/wion-trump-putin-meet-trump-puts
U.S. SOUTHCOM Deploying 4,000 Troops To Latin American Waters As Counter-Narco-Terror Operations Loom https://www.zerohedge.com/military/us-southcom-deploying-4000-troops-latin-american-waters-counter-narco-terror-operations
Starving Palestinians to death: UNRWA warns of ‘manmade famine’ in Gaza, urges return to UN-led aid system https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250814-over-14800-gaza-patients-need-urgent-unavailable-treatment/
RT has compiled the reactions of Russian experts to the summit and what it means for Washington, Moscow, and the global balance of power
Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs:
Analogies are always imperfect, but the Alaska summit inevitably brought to mind the first meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in Geneva nearly forty years ago... Just like back then, no deal was struck, but the level of communication shifted dramatically...
..This time, the pace is faster. This isn’t a Cold War; it’s something hotter. There won’t be year-long pauses between summits. We’ll see follow-ups much sooner – of one kind or another. Critics will try to spin the Alaska meeting as a Trump defeat, arguing that Putin dictated the tempo and set the terms. There’s some truth to that. But if the goal is a sustainable outcome, there’s no alternative to tackling the full scope of issues head-on...
..If the process launched in Alaska continues in the same spirit, we could see an outcome that’s the reverse of what followed Geneva. Back then, Reagan pushed to end the Cold War on Washington’s terms – and succeeded. Today, what’s on the table is the end of the post-Cold War era, a time defined by unchallenged US global dominance. That shift isn’t sudden – it’s been building for years – but it’s now reached a climax. https://www.rt.com/russia/623068-russian-reactions-to-putin-trump-talks/
This is 9 minutes packed with information. Gilbert Doctorow, WION: Trump-Putin Meet: Trump Puts Pressure on Zelensky, Europe
UN says at least 1,760 killed seeking aid in Gaza https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611950/middle-east
Staff walked out of Israeli-run Gaza ‘aid project’ condemned as a death trap https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250815-staff-walked-out-of-israeli-run-gaza-aid-project-condemned-as-a-death-trap/
TRT aerial footage exposes Gaza’s devastation under relentless Israeli assault
Israel’s ongoing attacks in the enclave have resulted in tens of thousands killed, displaced, and starved to death due to Tel Aviv's enforced starvation policy. https://trt.global/world/article/1ae34ed1fe2a
Murder by disease: Thirst drives Gaza families to drink water that makes them sick https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611951/middle-east
Israel’s ongoing attacks in the enclave have resulted in tens of thousands killed, displaced, and starved to death due to Tel Aviv's enforced starvation policy. https://trt.global/world/article/1ae34ed1fe2a
Israel targets emergency workers trying to help people trapped in Gaza City
As military closes in on city, it continues attacks across enclave, targeting al-Shifa and Al-Aqsa hospitals. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/15/israel-targets-emergency-workers-trying-to-help-people-trapped-in-gaza-city
As military closes in on city, it continues attacks across enclave, targeting al-Shifa and Al-Aqsa hospitals. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/15/israel-targets-emergency-workers-trying-to-help-people-trapped-in-gaza-city
Germany calls on Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank https://timeukraineisrael.com/en/news/germany-calls-on-israel-to-stop-building-settlements-in-the-west-bank/
UN rights office says Israeli settlement plan breaks international law https://www.arabnews.com/node/2611926/middle-east
France condemns Israeli demolition of West Bank school under construction - Foreign Ministry demands accountability from Israeli authorities https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-condemns-israeli-demolition-of-west-bank-school-under-construction/3660273
Two Tier UK: ‘Cut Throats’ Councillor Freed, While Mother Who Tweeted Still In Prison
A leftist councillor who called for murdering anti-mass migration protesters has gotten off scot free https://modernity.news/2025/08/15/two-tier-uk-cut-throats-councillor-freed-while-mother-who-tweeted-still-in-prison/
China Rushes To Buy Russian Oil As India Pulls Back https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/china-rushes-buy-russian-oil-india-pulls-back
"Detect, Track, Neutralize": Autonomous Turrets With Low-Cost Firepower To Counter Kamikaze Drones https://www.zerohedge.com/military/detect-track-neutralize-autonomous-turrets-low-cost-firepower-counter-kamikaze-drones
China's "Assassin's Mace" Irregular Warfare Campaign May Render Trump's Golden Dome Useless
Doug Casey on the China Hysteria: Manufactured Threat or Inevitable Rival?
It is more of an observation than a threat, I think. Israel kills people. Hezbollah Chief Threatens 'No Life In Lebanon' If Government Moves To Disarm It https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hezbollah-chief-threatens-no-life-lebanon-if-government-moves-disarm-it
Andrew Korybko, Indonesia Will Play A Key Role In Russia’s Asian Balancing Act
Although cooperation within BRICS is purely voluntary, the group can still collectively contribute to accelerating financial multipolarity processes and then gradual reforms to global governance afterwards. Accordingly, given Indonesia’s growing economic and corresponding political weight in the world coupled with their traditionally friendly ties, Russia expects that they can cooperate more closely to this end.In pursuit of this goal, which is assessed to be the driving force behind their strategic partnership, both countries are prioritizing the comprehensive expansion of their economic, political, and military ties.
From Russia’s perspective, the economic dimension can open new markets for all manner of energy and real-sector exports, closer ties with de facto ASEAN leader Indonesia can give Russia more of a presence in that bloc, and more military-technical cooperation can strengthen Indonesia’s own balancing act.
About that, Indonesia multi-aligns between rival powers just like India does, and closer military-technical cooperation with Russia could help it avoid the growing zero-sum dilemma to commit to China or the US. https://korybko.substack.com/p/indonesia-will-play-a-key-role-inA leftist councillor who called for murdering anti-mass migration protesters has gotten off scot free https://modernity.news/2025/08/15/two-tier-uk-cut-throats-councillor-freed-while-mother-who-tweeted-still-in-prison/
With American deaths caused by Covid-19 now well exceeding Vietnam War casualty figures, a strong case can be made that the CCP's covert program to develop, test, and deploy the next generation of more lethal, genetically stable, and stealthy engineered pathogens qualifies as a WMD program.
It's become entirely clear that the CCP shows limited to no signs of modifying or reversing its intent to target, degrade, and eventually dissolve the U.S. from within, conquer Taiwan, dominate the Indo-Pacific, and implode the dollar system for a new "international system" for all things China. President Trump knows this, which is why he recently said any BRICS member will be slapped with tariffs over de-dollarization attempts.
What the CCP clearly understands is that the U.S. remains the single greatest obstacle to its global domination plan. By contrast, Europe has effectively neutralized itself through the consequences of mass migration and the self-sabotaging policies of woke liberal elites in Brussels. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/chinas-assassins-mace-irregular-warfare-campaign-may-render-trumps-golden-dome-useless
It's become entirely clear that the CCP shows limited to no signs of modifying or reversing its intent to target, degrade, and eventually dissolve the U.S. from within, conquer Taiwan, dominate the Indo-Pacific, and implode the dollar system for a new "international system" for all things China. President Trump knows this, which is why he recently said any BRICS member will be slapped with tariffs over de-dollarization attempts.
What the CCP clearly understands is that the U.S. remains the single greatest obstacle to its global domination plan. By contrast, Europe has effectively neutralized itself through the consequences of mass migration and the self-sabotaging policies of woke liberal elites in Brussels. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/chinas-assassins-mace-irregular-warfare-campaign-may-render-trumps-golden-dome-useless
China’s newfound prosperity is seen as a threat. China, however, isn’t the problem; it’s the U.S. government’s attitude towards China, combined with visible U.S. decline, while China is advancing rapidly on every front. So, the U.S. Government is trying to suppress China and throw up roadblocks to its progress with sanctions and tariffs, while denying it imports and trying to pen it up militarily. As with Russia, the U.S. is provoking them on many fronts.
However, the current U.S. policy is not only doomed to failure, but is actively counterproductive. https://internationalman.com/articles/doug-casey-on-the-china-hysteria-manufactured-threat-or-inevitable-rival/
Trump Says Xi Assured Him China Will Not Invade Taiwan During His Presidency https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-says-xi-assured-him-china-will-not-invade-taiwan-during-his-presidency
Very limited manufacturing capacity these days: WoodMac Sounds Alarm On Transformer Shortage Amid AI Data Center Boom https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/no-longer-ignored-woodmac-sounds-alarm-transformer-shortage-amid-ai-data-center-boom
Farmers are old, indebted, and have a job in town, too: The Death Of The Small Farm Is The Death Of Rural America https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/death-small-farm-death-rural-america
However, the current U.S. policy is not only doomed to failure, but is actively counterproductive. https://internationalman.com/articles/doug-casey-on-the-china-hysteria-manufactured-threat-or-inevitable-rival/