U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met face-to-face on Friday in Alaska, greeting each other warmly on a red carpet at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson before riding together in the U.S. presidential limousine, known as “The Beast.”
The high-stakes summit comes as Trump seeks to broker a resolution to the three-year war in Ukraine.
Trump, arriving aboard Air Force One, walked toward Putin for a handshake as both leaders exchanged brief words. Trump saluted assembled U.S. troops, while reporters shouted questions at Putin, including whether he underestimated Ukraine or would stop attacks on civilians. Putin stood silently beside Trump, offering no response, but later smiled and waved as the motorcade rolled past journalists.
As Trump, Putin meet, the meeting marks one of the most closely watched diplomatic encounters of the year.
Speaking to Fox News during his flight, Trump was quoted as saying, “We’re going for a meeting with President Putin in Alaska, and I think it’s going to work out very well — and if it doesn’t, I’m going to head back home real fast.”
The Aug. 15 meeting comes after months of frustration from Trump over Putin’s reluctance to halt the conflict.
Trump has threatened economic penalties if progress stalls, warning there would be “very severe consequences” against Russia, Pan-Atlantic Kompass had earlier reported. The talks are being held without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has spoken with Trump twice this week but continues to reject any territorial concessions.
Analysts view the Alaska gathering as a potential opening for a broader negotiation, though expectations remain low. On Aug. 14, Trump tempered hopes, saying the “more important meeting” will be one involving both Zelenskyy and Putin, which he suggested could follow soon.
“We’re going to see what happens,” Trump said. “I think President Putin will make peace. I think President Zelensky will make peace. We’ll see if they can get along, and if they can, it’ll be great.”
Their joint ride in “The Beast” as Trump, Putin meet, has drawn global attention as the world waits for signs of a breakthrough in the prolonged war.
At the Alaska summit, it is being reported that Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov will join the Russian leader during his “three-on-three” meeting behind closed door. While Trump will be joined by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle-east, Steve Witkoff.
