After a week of differing statements from his aides about the current prospects for U.S.-Russian relations after the Putin-Trump discussions in Anchorage, Alaska last Aug. 15, the Russian President himself explained where things stand, in all their complexity. In response to a question from Kommersant daily at an Oct. 10 press conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Putin stated:
“Do you understand the issue? We did not fully disclose what was discussed in Anchorage. We simply stated that, in general, there is an understanding—both on the part of the United States and the Russian Federation—of where we should move and what we should strive for in order to end this conflict, and by peaceful means at that. These are not simple matters.
“We agreed with Donald that I, too, would need to consider the matter in Moscow and discuss it with our colleagues, as well as consult our allies. He told me the same.
