Trump-Putin meeting begins in Alaska: video
15 August 22:36
In Anchorage (Alaska, USA), US President Donald Trump had his first face-to-face meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin during his current term in office. It was also Putin’s first visit to a Western country since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Sky News and Suspilne, which broadcasts the meeting.
The White House called the talks a “historic summit,” emphasizing the symbolism of the room’s design, which featured a banner with the words “Striving for Peace.” The central topic of the talks was the war in Ukraine.
Protocol and symbolism of arrival
Donald Trump’s plane was the first to arrive at the Anchorage military base. Putin’s plane landed a few minutes later, but the leaders were in no hurry to get off. The door of the Russian dictator’s plane was opened first, but he remained on board until the hatch of Trump’s plane was opened.
The US president was the first to step onto the ramp, followed by Putin.
Trump walked the red carpet, stopping in the middle to wait for Putin. He clapped his hands several times as Putin walked toward him on the red carpet that stretched out from the other side.
They then shook hands and walked together to an elevated platform with the words “Alaska 2025” on it. They both ignored questions from journalists. Putin was asked if he would stop killing civilians. He pretended not to hear the question. Then they got into the US president’s limousine and drove off together to the talks.
The White House broadcast the arrival and the official part of the meeting.
Before the talks began, the parties limited themselves to protocol photos, without official statements to the press.
Reaction to journalists’ questions
On their way to the car, journalists asked Putin:
“President Putin, will you stop killing civilians?”
The Russian leader avoided answering by gesturing as if he could not hear over the noise of the airplane engines.
The format of the negotiations
Initially, the meeting was planned to be one-on-one with only interpreters present. However, the format was changed – each side was represented by three participants. The United States was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Representative Steve Witkoff, and National Security Advisor. Russia was represented by Counselor Yuri Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and the Minister of Defense.
Later, expanded delegations were to join the talks. On the American side, the CIA Director, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were to join the negotiations. The Russian team was complemented by the Minister of Finance, the head of the Special Investment Fund, and the official Russian press.
It is noteworthy that Lavrov arrived in the United States wearing a jacket with the inscription “USSR“, which has already caused comments on social media.
Further schedule
According to the plan, after the closed-door talks, Trump and Putin will take part in a final press conference. The US president’s flight to Washington is scheduled for 5 a.m. Kyiv time.
