The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, arrived in Anchorage, Alaska for the summit with his American counterpart Donald Trump, amid internal discussions at the White House regarding potential incentives for Moscow in exchange for progress in Ukraine.
Trump greeted Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Immediately, they shook hands, flanked by F-22 jets near the red carpet, as the White House showed on its X account.
As the two world leaders met on the runway, a group of U.S. military aircraft was flying overhead, including fighters and what appeared to be a B-2 stealth bomber, the minute-by-minute coverage of the summit reported by the television network CNN indicated.
According to the report, Putin joined President Donald Trump in his armored presidential limousine (The Beast) to leave the tarmac headed to their meeting.
“The decision is unusual, especially for a political opponent. When Trump wanted North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to ride in his car during their meeting in Singapore in 2018, his advisors dissuaded him,” he emphasized.
This is a sign that Trump and Putin will still have a moment alone, even if it's just a brief car ride, after it was revealed that the in-person meeting would no longer be private between the two of them and would now include advisors.
The meeting, the first between both leaders since June 2021, will include high-level advisors and will take place under a strong military presence at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base.
In addition to Putin, the Russian delegation will be represented by the Chancellor, Serguéi Lavrov, and the presidential advisor on foreign policy, Yuri Ushakov, stated the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov.
It is expected that the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will accompany Trump, as indicated by CNN.
Sources from the U.S. government indicated that incentives for Russia could include discussions regarding new trade agreements or a possible strategic arms pact, topics that Russian officials have mentioned in recent days.
Although a high-ranking official confirmed the willingness to engage in dialogue about gun control, he noted that it is unlikely that specific details will be finalized at such a high level during this meeting.
The White House maintains that it has worked with its European allies ahead of the summit, but within Trump's team, there is a perception that Europe is avoiding any negotiations that could be seen as a reward to Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Europeans haven’t thought about incentives for years,” said an official, while another described that stance as “childish and impractical.”
Trump and Putin will first meet in a bilateral format accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Subsequently, the delegations will join for a working lunch, which will include senior members of the U.S. cabinet such as the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, and the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.
The plane of the Russian president landed at Anchorage airport at 11:00 AM local time (19:00 GMT), confirmed the Russian agency Sputnik via its profile on X.
Trump, who landed just minutes earlier, declared aboard the presidential plane Air Force One that he is not participating in the summit “for his health” but to “save many lives.” He emphasized his desire to achieve a ceasefire “quickly,” warning that he will not be satisfied if it is not accomplished during this meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska
What is the main objective of the summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska?
The main objective of the summit is to seek a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump has stated that his goal is to stop the war as quickly as possible, although the meeting takes place against a backdrop of significant international tension due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
What is expected from the negotiations on Ukraine at the summit?
It is expected that the negotiations will address possible incentives for Russia in exchange for progress in Ukraine. However, there are concerns that any agreement between Trump and Putin may be reached without Ukraine's involvement, which could destabilize the strategic balances in Europe.
Why has Alaska been chosen as the venue for the summit?
Alaska was chosen as the venue to facilitate a neutral meeting between both leaders. The U.S. state, which was once Russian territory, serves as a symbolic and strategic space for dialogue on international tensions, especially regarding the war in Ukraine.
What role do other countries play in these negotiations between Trump and Putin?
Other European countries and Ukraine are concerned about being excluded from the negotiations. While some leaders view the summit as an opportunity for dialogue, there is a widespread fear that a bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States may overlook Ukraine's interests and alter the diplomatic balance in the region.
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