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WATCH: Trump and Putin shake hands in Alaska ahead of high-stakes Ukraine talks
This is Putin’s first visit to the West since the war began in February 2022.
President Donald Trump greets Russia's President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
US President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, for talks on issues including the war in Ukraine.
The two leaders walked down red carpets rolled up to their respective planes and met where the carpets formed a T, with Trump arriving first and clapping as Putin approached. They shook hands, shared smiles, and appeared to exchange brief greetings before proceeding side by side to a riser positioned about 50 feet from the press pool.
As a flyover of B-2 bombers and F-22 fighter jets roared overhead, Trump and Putin stood facing the cameras but did not respond to shouted questions. They shook hands a second time before stepping off the riser to continue to the summit venue.
⚡️ FIRST Trump–Putin handshake in over half a DECADE https://t.co/ewso99GwRh pic.twitter.com/81FbVBGasd
— RT (@RT_com) August 15, 2025
Advisers said the meeting is expected to last six to seven hours.
On his way, Trump told reporters, “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine… I think it’s going to work out very well – and if it doesn’t, I’m going to head back home real fast.”
“Putin believes that his continuous attacks give him strength in negotiations, but I think that hurts him. I think we will achieve some result at the summit with Putin. I am working to end the war to save lives. Russia will face severe economic consequences if it does not reach an agreement,” Trump added, noting they will discuss land exchange but that it is for Ukraine to decide.
While Trump was en route, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “It is time to end the war, and the necessary steps must be taken by Russia. We are counting on America.”
This is Putin’s first visit to the West since the war began in February 2022.
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