Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
Editorial

Six hours that did not change the world but made Putin stronger

16 August 2025

This is a comment by the editorial team of commonspace.eu

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was in Alaska for only six hours, for his summit meeting with US president, Donald Trump. Trump emboldened by his use of choreography a week before, when dealing with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders at the White House, tried again on Friday (15 August) in Anchorage: Red carpet, fighter aircraft lined up as if for inspection, and a backdrop with the optimistic message "pursuing peace" for after. But the sly fox of the Kremlin outsmarted the usually verbose real estate dealer. Putin used the choreography for his own advantage, making Trump look like an extra in a movie.

The six hours that the Russian leader spent on US soil, may not have changed the world. Nothing seems to be have been agreed, and Putin and Trump left a press conference hurriedly after making brief statements, without taking questions. But the Alaska summit left Vladimir Putin looking strong and emboldened. With one stroke he ended his international isolation, which has been all but total, since his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It brought Russia where it has wanted to be for the last thirty years – looking as the equal and natural partner of the US. And you Europeans and Ukrainians don’t you dare put spokes in our wheels, president Putin said defiantly.

The world must now pick up the pieces, and hope that Trump will see the error of his ways.

source: This is a comment by the editorial team of commonspace.eu

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged
Trending

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

9 June 2021
Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription
Trending

Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

14 November 2025
The Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 troops. The new military service model aims to increase that number by 20,000 over the next year, rising to between 255,000 and 260,000 over the next 10 years, supplemented by approximately 200,000 reservists. From next year, all 18-year-old men and women will be sent a questionnaire to assess their interest and willingness to join the armed forces. It will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. From July 2027 all men aged 18 will also have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for duty. If the government's targets are not met, a form of compulsory enlistment could be considered by parliament. If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said despite the new military service plan there was "no cause for concern... no reason for fear". "The more capable of deterrence and defence our armed forces are, through armament through training and through personnel, the less likely it is that we will become a party to a conflict at all," Pistorius said. Defence spending in Germany tumbled after the end of the Cold War, while conscription was suspended in 2011. Given its past, Germany has long been shy of showing military might, but earlier this year Friedrich Merz announced that the rule for German defence "now has to be whatever it takes", following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around 300,000 young men per year will be affected. The defense minister argues that this is the only way for the Bundeswehr to get an idea of who could be called up in the event of a conflict.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription
Trending

Germany will soon have the largest conventional army in Europe, but there will be no conscription

14 November 2025
The Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 troops. The new military service model aims to increase that number by 20,000 over the next year, rising to between 255,000 and 260,000 over the next 10 years, supplemented by approximately 200,000 reservists. From next year, all 18-year-old men and women will be sent a questionnaire to assess their interest and willingness to join the armed forces. It will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women. From July 2027 all men aged 18 will also have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for duty. If the government's targets are not met, a form of compulsory enlistment could be considered by parliament. If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said despite the new military service plan there was "no cause for concern... no reason for fear". "The more capable of deterrence and defence our armed forces are, through armament through training and through personnel, the less likely it is that we will become a party to a conflict at all," Pistorius said. Defence spending in Germany tumbled after the end of the Cold War, while conscription was suspended in 2011. Given its past, Germany has long been shy of showing military might, but earlier this year Friedrich Merz announced that the rule for German defence "now has to be whatever it takes", following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around 300,000 young men per year will be affected. The defense minister argues that this is the only way for the Bundeswehr to get an idea of who could be called up in the event of a conflict.