President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin opened their Alaska summit Friday with a warm handshake, greeting each other like longtime acquaintances before beginning hours of talks that could reshape the war in Ukraine and the broader U.S.-Russia relationship.
After stepping off Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Trump applauded as Putin approached along a red carpet laid out for each leader. The two clasped hands for an extended moment, smiling as cameras clicked. Putin eventually pointed skyward while their hands were still joined.
Uniformed service members stood at attention nearby as B-2 bombers and F-22 fighter jets — aircraft designed to counter Russia during the Cold War — roared overhead in a symbolic flyover.
When reporters shouted, “President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?” Putin cupped his hand to his ear but did not respond. Moments later, both leaders climbed into the U.S. presidential limousine, with Putin grinning as it pulled away.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the meeting format had shifted from a one-on-one to a “three-on-three” session. Trump will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. The move reflects a more cautious approach than the 2018 Helsinki summit, when the two met privately with only their interpreters for two hours.
The leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at the conclusion of the summit.
