Anchorage.

Almost the entire world is looking to two statesmen who are set to meet in Anchorage, Alaska (the largest city in Alaska, once ruled by Russia). Not only the two of them, but also a number of other people who make up their entourages. However, the conversation will take place only between the two of them, not counting the interpreters. Both sides are making every effort to create an atmosphere befitting a meeting between the two most powerful men on the planet, two decisive individuals. The topic of their conversation is to be the fate of another country, a republic that has been repeatedly attacked by one of the participants. The war, which has lasted more than three years, is weighing on the economies of many countries, destroying the lives of millions of people, and raising doubts as to whether there really is international law that is enforceable and respected by all. The flagrant violation of the Budapest Memorandum, which was agreed upon thirty years ago by, among others, the highest representatives of both countries that will be negotiating today in Alaska, is a clear disregard for all principles of trust. Two and a half years ago, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin on suspicion of war crimes. However, since neither the US nor Russia has signed the Rome Statute, which would oblige the US to arrest the Russian leader immediately upon his arrival, we are unlikely to see any international incident that would threaten Putin's detention. It is clear that the very fact that the meeting is taking place is a victory for the self-confident Russian and a defeat for the equally self-confident American. But whatever the outcome of the talks, it will be a signal more to their own voters than to the world. On the Russian side, the resulting impression must be that of a capable military leader, a leader and guardian of his country's interests. On the other hand, the profile of an enlightened peacemaker and talented mediator must be confirmed. However, this is unlikely to happen. Another meeting where nothing will be resolved, just diplomatic sabre-rattling. Moreover, some of the interests of both sides are shared, and one can even find similarities in the political DNA of both statesmen, as well as both nations. After all, Americans are just Russians with bathrooms.