Putin Admires Trump’s Peace Moves Despite missing out on Nobel Prize
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced an optimistic outlook regarding the possibility of striking an agreement with the United States to extend a critical nuclear arms treaty for an additional year. He also praised the efforts that the United States President Donald Trump has made toward peace, despite the fact that he has not been awarded the Nobel Prize. Putin stated that he was not the one to make that decision, but he praised Trump’s initiatives that were aimed at achieving a ceasefire in both Gaza and Ukraine. This was in response to reporters asking him if he believed that Trump was unfairly overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize in favor of Maria Corina Machado, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition. Putin made these remarks about Trump while he was in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for a meeting of nations that had formerly been a part of the Soviet Union. “He’s really doing a lot to resolve such complex crises that have lasted for years and even decades,” Putin added. In addition, he stated that the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza would be a “historic” accomplishment if it were executed.
The Russian leader refrained from making any comments regarding Machado’s victory; nevertheless, he did make a remark, without identifying anyone in particular, that the Nobel Committee has in the past awarded the prize to individuals who have not made significant progress in the cause of global peace. Putin made the statement that there have been instances in which the committee has bestowed the Nobel Peace Prize onto individuals who have not made any efforts to promote peace. The arrival of a person, regardless of whether they are good or terrible, happens within a month or two, and then bang! Why is this being done? Nothing at all was done by him. In my judgment, the reputation of this reward has suffered severe damage as a result of these decisions. Putin stated that he and Trump discussed various remedies to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three and a half years. This statement was made in regard to the fact that the conflict has been going on for more than six years. He made the observation that “on the whole, we have an understanding, both on the part of the United States and on the part of the Russian Federation, about where we should move and what we should strive for in order to end this conflict.”
Putin indicated that he informed Trump in Alaska that he required further time to evaluate the situation and communicate with Russia’s allies. Trump claimed that Putin informed him of this. “These are complex issues that require further analysis, but we remain committed to the discussion that took place in Anchorage,” he stated, in addition to saying that “perhaps we can still accomplish a lot based on the agreements and discussions in Anchorage.” He expressed optimism that Moscow and Washington would come to a deal to prolong the New START arms reduction treaty for a another year after it expires in February. The treaty was signed in 2010 and was intended to reduce the development of weapons. Under the terms of the agreement, each nation is limited to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads deployed, as well as 700 missiles and bombers deployed. During a conversation on Sunday, President Trump responded to a question regarding Putin’s suggestion in September to prolong the New START agreement by saying, “It sounds like a good idea to me.”
On Friday, Putin indicated that Russia and the United States still have a significant amount of time to come to an agreement over the extension of the accord “if there is a good will.” He made the observation that “if the American side decides that it doesn’t need it, it’s not critical for us at all, as Russia has upgraded its strategic nuclear arsenals and is preparing to field new weapons.” He warned that the dissolution of the deal would mean that there would be no arms control agreement between the two nuclear powers that are the most powerful in the world that are currently in existence. His statement was as follows: “We are prepared to negotiate if the Americans, the American side, consider it to be acceptable and useful.” If not, then. Unfortunately, this would result in a complete lack of deterrence in relation to strategic offensive weapons, which would be a very undesirable situation. Despite the fact that Trump did not win the Nobel Prize, Putin said that he applauds his efforts to promote peace.
