The following is an interview transcript with Alaska Sen Dan Sulivan, on August 14, 2025 in Ankrej, Alaska, and on 17 August 2025 on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brain”.
Margaret Brainan: Senator.
Sen Dan Sullivan: Margaret.
Margaret Brainan: Thanks for joining your home state.
Sen Sulivan: Welcome to Alaska. The father of the US Air Force called Alaska the most strategic place in the world. This is a quotes of Billy Mitchell I use very much. And now you see why.
Margaret Brainan: Well – very strategic. And I want to talk to you about specific things for the state-
Sen Sulivan: Good.
Margaret Brainon: -But this is the focus of the world right now-
Sen Sulivan: This is.
Margaret Brainon: -Who is coming here to the beke.
Sen Sulivan: Yes.
Margaret Brainon: So from your point of view, you are supporters of Ukraine-
Sen Sulivan: I have been.
Margaret Brainon: – Does a successful Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, looks like the summit?
Sen Sulivan: Okay, look, I think the President and his team need to be praised. You know, they have kept a lot of effort and energy in relation to Ukraine and Russia, as they are doing worldwide, you know, they are building a lot of headways on peace, even if they are bringing Azerbaijan-Armenia issues, Iran-Israel, Pakistan-India, they are bringing the world into different parts.
So, see, I think there will be a successful result, as you know, a com-conversation peace is very complex, very difficult. Even such a high level of diplomacy is at risk for everyone, including the President and his team. Various elements of a peace agreement begin with the ceasefire, then you have a security guarantee if you have regional issues, concessions or not. But I think it is a place-setting practice that administration believes that if they can achieve a ceasefire, you will do other elements that I had talked about, with our European and NATO colleagues with Zelancesi very much more complex elements with Zelancesi. So I think the President is going to assess Putin’s seriousness on a ceasefire. And if he assesses it, that he is serious, and Putin agrees to a ceasefire, I think it will be success. Then you move towards other elements for round two. So it is really initial, and I will call it, you know, a practice in place-setting for real talks.
Margaret Brainon: So, see for the ceasefire, and the success of success based on it. Well, Kremlin has announced that this joint is going to a press conference. The White House says, we will see, the President said, probably not. Vladimir Putin is being brought from cold. He has been isolated by the world for a reason. Do you think it is rewarding bad behavior, giving it this spotlight on American earth?
Sen Sulivan: Look, two things on it. Vladimir Putin is coming to interact with Trump due to restrictions. I mean, don’t take it from me. Listen to our European colleagues who are certain on it. Putin is also due to the threat of serious secondary sanctions. So I think this is important. And, you know, in the context of the American Earth, look, I really feel that Alaska is a suitable place. Putin understands one thing, as you know, Margaret, Shakti and Shakti. And my kingdom expands strength and power with a vast army here. By the way, we are currently doing a huge military exercise. I hope Vladimir Putin sees a lot of that military power in the next few days. To highlight American energy, which the President is doing. This is the weapon that Putin probably fear more than anything, when we can compete with them.
And then it is also, you know, a place that displays a vast element of American strength and power, which is our colleague. We have allies, as we speak, the President is doing a great job with our European colleagues. Got NATO to reach 5%, coordinating with them throughout the week. So I think they are really important. And then in the end, you know, as an Alaska. I think this is important, with the point of view of reminding the Russians that we are very good negotiaters including the President of the United States. You know, last time when we talked a big thing with Russia in America, about my kingdom, we got this great kingdom per acre per acre, $ 7.2 million, perhaps a century deal. And I think Russians- I think Russians probably have to remember this.
Margaret Brainan: Okay, of course. Do you not think for Vladimir Putin, who you know, allegedly want to reorganize the Russian Empire, that perhaps there is a different meaning for him, to reach here?
Sen Sulivan: Okay, look, I think she has no one- I mean what they think about Alaska, but I know what Alaska thinks about Russia. And you know, we are a strong state, like I said. We have heavy power here. And so, I think for all these reasons, it is actually going to be an important summit.
Margaret Brainon: So- he is an acting war criminal, for a very specific crime of kidnapping Ukrainian children. He has bombed hospitals in Syria. He massacred the people, ordered him at least orders, he has killed many of his people. He has used chemical weapons on British soil. Hence he is under such pressure and American restrictions. In fact, are you happy that he is close to the house?
Sen Sulivan: Look, as I said, I mean- about-
Margaret Brainon: You do not think it becomes normal, that it forgives, that it gives him the photo session that makes him back which makes him so powerful?
Sen Sulivan: You know, peace is difficult, right? We have discussed high levels with Mao Zong, with Stalin with Reagan in Gorbachev. I mean, this is what is about diplomacy, when you try to end wars. And this is- the way you end the wars, you discuss them with the leaders of these countries. See, I am not a fan of Vladimir Putin. I do not believe anything that he says. The key is when I think when you are working with a dictator, what the President has done, appears with strength, and this is what the President has done. Putin is coming to the conversation table as he has been threatened by these sanctions. The President is rebuilding our army, rebuilding our energy sector, which is important for my state, and very important, as I have already mentioned, we have a really close coordination with one of the greatest strength, and it is our partner. We are an ally rich nation. Putin is a partner poor, and this is our great strength.
Therefore, I think, you think, you focus on strength, take Putin into a ceasefire, and Ukraine, Zelanski, move ahead with our European colleagues in terms of more complex elements of a peace talks. But it starts with it. Starts with a ceasefire. And look, if President Trump assesses, Putin is not getting honest, you have seen, recently the President’s very frustration said, “Hey, I have these good discussions with Putin, so he is bombing, you know, hospitals and nursing homes.” If he assesses that he is not serious, as the President said, there will be serious consequences. And I think that the kind of pressure we want, which everyone wants, which is the end of this war.
End Part A crowd transcript
