The summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, but the meeting ended with no deal.
Here’s what happened when the two leaders met
Wearing a dark suit, white shirt and red tie, US President Donald Trump descended the stairs from Air Force One at 11:08am local time, and he walked along a red carpet.
President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
He stopped, and as Russian President Vladimir Putin approached, applauded him before offering a handshake and a tap on the arm. Putin appeared to make a joke prompting smiles from both leaders.
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President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
They walked together toward a platform marked “Alaska 2025,”where again the two leaders exchanged a handshake, posed for photographs; but as reporters shouted questions at Putin about a ceasefire and civilian casualties, the Russian president shrugged as if indicating he couldn’t hear them. American military aircraft—including fighter jets and what appeared to be a B-2 stealth bomber—thundered overhead.
Putin then joined Trump in the presidential limousine, ‘The Beast’. The two could be seen laughing inside.
What is The Beast ?
‘The Beast,’ weighing 20,000 pounds and equipped with advanced security and communications systems, debuted during Trump’s first term in 2018 and reportedly cost $1.5 million to build. While it resembles an elongated Cadillac XT6, its chassis comes from a Chevrolet Kodiak truck.
Security features remain classified, but a report by NBC, suggests the vehicle has night-vision, tear gas launchers, electrified door handles, 3-inch-thick windows, and 8-inch armor plating—making it one of the most secure vehicles in the world.
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President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump greets Russia’s President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
