Fergus Finlay: Alaska summit proves Trump is still enthralled by Putin as Ukraine war rages on

Trump’s deference to Putin in Alaska exposed his weakness, while Ukraine and Europe insist only self-determination can bring peace

President Donald Trump listens as Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Picture: AP

I met two old pals, Angus Laverty and Tom Butler, for gossip and chat last Friday. The 15th, it was. Angus told us that Will Rogers of all people had died on that day in 1935. I wasn’t really sure why I needed to know that — I vaguely know Rogers as a humourist and writer from way back when. But later, Angus sent me a quotation from him — and it’s been stuck in my head ever since.

“There are three kinds of men,” Rogers said once. “The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”