Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have met in Anchorage, Alaska, marking the official start of a high-stakes summit aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict.
The talks, held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, are also expected to cover global security issues and potential expansion of economic and trade ties between the two nations.
Putin arrived with a senior delegation, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, while Trump was accompanied by key cabinet members such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Trump characterized the event as a “feel-out meeting,” estimating a 25% chance of failure but hinting at discussions over a possible land-swap arrangement between Russia and Ukraine. The White House called the gathering “historic,” sharing images of the leaders walking together on the red carpet before departing in Trump’s presidential limousine.
Historic. pic.twitter.com/ZpierS5Rec
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 15, 2025
