Putin Smirks, Shrugs Off Question on Ukraine Civilian Killings in Alaska

Russian leader Vladimir Putin smirked and gestured when questioned about Ukrainian civilian killings on Friday, soon after landing in Alaska for his meeting with US President Donald Trump. 

At the far end of the red carpet rolled out for Putin’s arrival, the Russian and US presidents shared a cordial display, enjoying a long handshake in front of the press.

Putin’s reception by reporters was less warm, with one heckling him with the questions “Mr Putin, did you underestimate Ukraine?” and “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?”

In response to the second question, Putin gestured at his ear with a smirk, as if to indicate that he could not hear the reporter over the sound of the roaring engines.

He shared a few inaudible words with Trump and both smiled broadly before the latter put his hand on Putin’s back and guided him away from reporters, sparing a final wave to the crowd.

“President Putin, how can the US trust your word?” the reporter shouted as the pair exited the runway and slipped into the presidential vehicle.

The summit subsequently started at around 11:30 a.m. local time (10:30 p.m. Kyiv time). 

Putin’s attack on civilians in Ukraine was reportedly what prompted Trump to alter his stance on Ukraine, despite his public praise for the Russian leader. 

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According to Trump, there was a moment when First Lady Melania Trump told him of a Russian strike on a nursing home in Ukraine, shortly after what he described as a “most wonderful talk” with Putin.

“I get home, I say to First Lady ‘I had the most wonderful talk with Vladimir. I think we are finished.’ And then Melania says to me that Putin has just bombed a nursing home,” he recalled in July.

In one of Russia’s more recent attacks on Kyiv in late July, a massive drone and missile strike killed 31 people, including five children, and wounded 159 others, among them 16 children.