Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down in Anchorage, Alaska for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, as internal discussions within the White House revolve around possible incentives for Moscow in exchange for progress in Ukraine. Trump welcomed Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, with the pair shaking hands on the tarmac, surrounded by F-22 jets and a red carpet, as shown by the White House on its X account.
As the two global leaders convened on the runway, a formation of U.S. military aircraft, including fighter jets and what appeared to be a B-2 stealth bomber, flew overhead, according to CNN's live coverage of the summit. Putin joined President Trump in his armored presidential limousine, "The Beast," to depart the airstrip for their meeting.
This move is considered unusual, particularly given the political adversarial nature. In a previous instance, when Trump sought to have North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un accompany him in his car during their 2018 Singapore summit, his advisors dissuaded him. This indicates that Trump and Putin are set to have a private moment, albeit brief, in the car, despite the meeting itself being expanded to include additional advisors.
Marking their first face-to-face meeting since June 2021, this summit will see high-level advisors from both sides and take place under heavy military security at Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base. Alongside Putin, the Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and presidential foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Representing the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to join Trump, as reported by CNN.
U.S. government sources suggest that incentives for Russia could involve talks on new trade agreements or a potential strategic arms pact, subjects recently broached by Russian officials. While a senior official confirmed the willingness to discuss arms control, they noted that it is unlikely that high-level details will be finalized during this meeting.
The White House maintains that it has consulted with European allies ahead of the summit, though there is a sense within Trump’s team that Europe is avoiding any negotiation that might be perceived as rewarding Moscow for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "Europeans haven’t considered incentives for years," one official stated, with another dismissing the stance as "childish and impractical."
The initial meeting between Trump and Putin will be a bilateral one, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. This will be followed by a working lunch with delegations, including senior U.S. cabinet members such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Russian president's plane landed at Anchorage Airport at 11:00 local time (19:00 GMT), confirmed by Russian agency Sputnik on its X profile. Trump, who arrived shortly before, stated aboard Air Force One that his participation in the summit is not for his own benefit but to "save many lives," emphasizing his desire to quickly reach a ceasefire, warning of dissatisfaction if this is not achieved during the meeting.
Key Questions on the Trump-Putin Summit
What are the potential incentives the U.S. might offer Russia?
The U.S. may propose new trade agreements or a strategic arms deal as incentives for Russia, contingent on progress in Ukraine.
Why is the Trump-Putin summit significant?
This is the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since June 2021, amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and discussions of potential incentives for Russia.
Who are the key figures attending the summit?
Key figures include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, among others.