In a historic and highly anticipated diplomatic encounter, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting today at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit that could reshape the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war and redefine global security dynamics.
This marks the first time a Russian head of state has visited Alaska, and the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump’s return to the White House in 2024. The summit is centered on negotiating a ceasefire in the three-and-a-half-year-long conflict in Ukraine, with both leaders under intense scrutiny from global observers.
The summit will begin with a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin, followed by delegation-level talks and a working breakfast. A joint press conference is expected later in the day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited to the summit, raising concerns about the principle of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” Trump has suggested a follow-up trilateral meeting including Zelenskyy could occur before his departure from Alaska.
Protests have erupted in Anchorage, with demonstrators waving Ukrainian flags and demanding transparency and accountability. European leaders are watching closely, wary of any deal that might undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Statement from President Trump: “If it’s a bad meeting, it’ll end very quickly. If it’s a good meeting, we’re going to end up getting peace in the near future,” Trump said Thursday. “He’s not going to mess around with me.”