A fiery exchange erupted on GB News when former Conservative MP James Sunderland challenged host Nana Akua over Donald Trump's diplomatic handling of Vladimir Putin during their Alaska summit meeting.
The former military officer argued that Trump's approach was insufficiently firm, particularly given the ongoing casualties in Ukraine. "I would have wanted Trump to be a bit more robust.
President Trump had the platform and the world was watching," Sunderland stated during the broadcast.
Nana strongly disagreed with this assessment, defending the American president's strategy as pragmatic. "Let's be real here. If you want somebody who is an aggressor to meet with you and you go in effing and jeffing, that person will never meet with you," she countered.
The pair disagreed on how President Trump handled the situation
|GB NEWS
Mr Sunderland expressed particular concern about the ceremonial reception afforded to the Russian leader. "The red carpet treatment was not the right thing to do, why? Because Putin is responsible for thousands of deaths," he argued.
The former MP highlighted the negative reaction from Ukraine, noting that images from the summit had sparked anger there. "There was clearly outrage across Ukraine when they saw the pictures and I think we gave the wrong reception," he said.
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He emphasised that whilst Trump needed to demonstrate firmness about ending the conflict, this message had been undermined. "Trump has to be firmer in the sense that the war has to stop. It was not the impression that was given at the summit," Mr Sunderland concluded.
Nana maintained that President Trump's diplomatic approach was essential for achieving his objective of ending the bloodshed. "Remember, Donald Trump's mission is to get the killing to stop and he will do whatever he can in his power," she explained.
Putin was afforded the red carpet treatment
|POOL
The GB News presenter stressed the importance of careful diplomacy when dealing with hostile leaders. "You have to tease them to the table in whatever way you can," she argued, whilst clarifying she wasn't advocating appeasement. "I'm not saying appease Putin, but you have to tread carefully."
Sunderland partially conceded Nana's point, acknowledging the necessity of diplomatic engagement. "Ultimately, you're right. Trump has to extend an arm of friendship to Putin and there has to be an agreement," he admitted, though he maintained his view that Putin had received excessive ceremonial honours.
The encounter between the two leaders featured notably warm exchanges, with Trump applauding repeatedly as Putin approached their meeting venue.
The leaders travelled together in the presidential limousine following Putin's arrival, with the Russian president smiling broadly as they passed assembled media.
Despite the lack of a deal in place, the US President said that the meeting was 'extremely productive' | GETTYThe Kremlin later confirmed both presidents would participate in a joint press conference following their three-hour discussion in Anchorage on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European officials were notably absent from the Alaska discussions between President Trump and Putin.
In a video statement, President Zelensky voiced optimism for America to adopt a firm stance whilst confirming Ukraine's readiness for productive engagement.
"Everyone wants an honest end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war," Zelensky stated, before noting Moscow's lack of commitment to peace. "The war continues and it continues precisely because there is no order, nor any signals from Moscow, that it is preparing to end this war."
During the summit, Sunderland observed symbolic elements including stealth bombers positioned in the background, which he interpreted as a subtle demonstration of American military capability alongside the diplomatic overtures.