Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump met in Anchorage for high-stakes talks on Ukraine, with Trump signaling negotiations—but no promises—for Kyiv.
In a dramatic diplomatic moment, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday afternoon, ahead of his long-awaited summit with US President Donald Trump.
The two leaders greeted one another on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, shaking hands before climbing into Trump’s presidential limo together—a striking image underscoring the weight of the meeting.
By 1:15 a.m. Israel time, the Kremlin confirmed that the initial “narrow format” negotiations had concluded, setting the stage for broader discussions with advisers.
While the spotlight is firmly on the war in Ukraine, Trump sought to temper expectations, telling reporters en route that his priority is to “get Putin back to the negotiating table,” not to act as a broker on Ukraine’s behalf. He notably avoided offering security guarantees for Kyiv, leaving open questions about Washington’s leverage and intentions.
Originally billed as a one-on-one encounter, the talks were expanded to include senior officials. On the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff joined Trump, while Putin arrived with his top Kremlin advisers.
With Putin on American soil for the first time since the war began, the Anchorage summit is being watched worldwide as a potential turning point—or a test of wills—between two men whose personal rapport has long stirred controversy.
