The Trump Putin Summit in Morsi Cover months of strategic moves

When President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin It meets today in Anchorage, It will be the most important meetings that Russia watched in the years. But this summit is not a sudden boom. It is the end point for a series of deliberate moves that lasted-some deliberate movements-some of which are general, and some behind closed doors-which pushed both men a cautious distance to the same room.

Again in February, none of the sides was preparing to shake hands. Russia was fighting Oil output disorders The result of penalties and drones. The Group of Seven agreed, with the calm United States support, that any new sanctions after February will be linked to the “good-intention” peace steps-shattering sanctions from explicit punishment to negotiating the currency. For Putin, it was an early sign that Washington was ready to hold sanctions from a negotiating deal. For Trump, it has proven that financial pressure can be applied flexible in shape behavior.

Trump using the oil tariff, the threats of penalties as a financial crane before facing Putin in Alaska

• Key dates:February 12, 2025 – Russia has been disrupted by sanctions and drones.February 15, 2025 – G7 links new penalties with peace steps, creating a relief path.

Early spring brought another calm sign: In March, Russia provided a “Wish list” for the relief of sanctions, focusing on re -connection to the fast banking network. Washington allowed the end of the main Russian financing license and shows that any banking will be conditional. On March 26, the European Union renewed its demand for rapid approvals, while the Treasury officials hinted that the US Treasury officials had been that Rosle Cozbank-linked to the state-related agricultural lender-it could have been the first to return if Moscow took steps that can be verified towards a ceasefire. This is the cornerstone of the negotiating position in Russia.

During the discussion of financial channels, Washington was keen not to burn the diplomatic runway. In April, reports showed that the United States was open to energy and mineral projects after the war with Russian companies-a long-term islands that did not cost anything at the forefront. However, these soft signals were paired with strong power offers. In July, Trump agreed to the delivery of the Patriot missile systems and Bradley combat vehicles to Ukraine, with Kiev putting the bill. A few days later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an additional $ 322 million in military services. The message was unambiguous: America can tighten or reduce the military binding, depending on how the conversations are offered.

The turning point came in August, and came through trade. On August 6, Trump doubled the customs tariff on Indian goods to 50 %, citing an increase in New Delhi’s purchases of Russian reduced oil. India has become one of the largest energy artery in Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine war. By targeting India, the White House applied indirect but severe pressure on Moscow’s revenues without an escalation in the battlefield. Two days later, Trump went further, as it threatens the tariffs of up to 100 % on any country that continued to buy Russian oil. Reuters reported that this procedure was directly aimed at India and China, and Moscow’s work could not be lost.

• Key dates:August 6, 2025 – Trump is a tariff on Indian goods to 50 % on Russian oil purchases.August 8, 2025 – 100 % threats to any Russian oil buyers, targeting India and China.

This combination – financial relief that was far from hand, calibration military aid such as a faded key, and oil revenues suddenly endangered – Kremlin options. Putin needed to slow down the critical bleeding and avoid it looks like he was bending to Washington. Trump needed a diplomatic moment that could appear abroad without dragging the United States into another war.

Alaska choosing where the place closed the deal. Away from Washington, it offers the symbolism of American lands with a reference to interests in the common north pole of the two countries, which was quietly presented in February. It also avoids European capitals, as it may have been difficult for both leaders to manage.

Inside the room, negotiators are expected to discuss a quick reintegration gradually from Rosselkhozbank, the limited penalties associated with the initial shooting, potential sculpture of shared energy and metal projects if the fighting stops. On the other hand, Washington can gradually freeze new military aid to Ukraine. Both sides kept their larger work in reserves – with full secondary penalties and NATO mode changes, Putin with an escalation option in other theaters or accelerate the BRICS plans.

Get Fox Business on the Go by clicking here

Whatever the result, the Alaska summit is not about friendship. It relates to grinding strategic pressure – four arren intertwined from military rhythm, financial life artery, energy flows, and diplomatic position. Each step in the past six months has narrowed the other side room of the mane until the shorter path run forward through the marina.

In the summer of 2025, the pressure was not just a tool. The point was.

TANVI Ratna is an analyst and policy engineer with a contract of experience in statecraft at the intersection of political geography, economy and technology. I worked at Capitol Hill, in EY, in Coindsk and others, to form policy across sectors from manufacturing to artificial intelligence. Follow it on Atatecraft x and Alternative.