Vladimir Putin greeted Donald Trump at Anchorage airport. The presidents of Russia and the United States will discuss Ukraine during the Alaskan summit.
Meeting of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska
On Friday, August 15, around 8:00 a.m. local time, President Vladimir Putin landed in Anchorage for an unprecedented meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on the Ukraine conflict.
The U.S. President had arrived earlier, landing about 8:00 p.m. Polish time. Both leaders exchanged greetings at approximately 9:11 p.m., marking the first handshake between the two leaders in several years amid intensified international isolation of Russia since the February 24, 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Discussion Venue
Trump and Putin arrived at the designated location featuring a backdrop with the slogan “Pursuing Peace.” No preliminary statements were made, and both leaders refrained from answering journalists before the meeting.
Change in Format of the Meeting
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the discussions between the Russian and American delegations could last at least six to seven hours. Initially, it was reported that Trump would speak with Putin alone, but later it was clarified that each leader would be accompanied by two advisers.
On Thursday, Peskov listed the Russian delegation: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential adviser Yuri Ushakov, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, and the chairman of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev. The U.S. delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, presidential spokesperson Caroline Leavitt, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Post-Meeting Press Conference
After the summit, Dmitry Peskov expressed hope that the Alaska talks would conclude successfully. A press conference is planned, though it remains unclear whether it will feature only Trump or also Putin.