Alaska Summit Live Updates: Trump-Putin Talks Underway/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have begun their first face-to-face talks since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Alaska summit could last up to seven hours and will cover peace negotiations, security, and possible economic deals. Both nations sent top political and business leaders, signaling high strategic stakes.
Trump Putin Anchorage Summit Quick Looks
- First in-person U.S.-Russia leadership meeting since Ukraine invasion began.
- Talks started at 3:30 p.m. EST in Anchorage, Alaska.
- Meeting could last between four and seven hours.
- Trump ruled out preemptive territorial concessions to Russia.
- Speculation surrounds potential U.S.-Russia minerals or mining agreement.
- Both sides brought senior economic and defense officials.
- Trump plans to call Zelenskyy and European leaders after talks.
- Press conference plans remain unclear.
Deep Look: Trump and Putin Open Anchorage Summit in Bid for Ukraine Peace
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have officially begun their long-awaited summit in Anchorage, Alaska, in what could become the most consequential diplomatic encounter since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Friday meeting marks the first in-person talks between a U.S. president and Putin in more than three and a half years. The two leaders landed in Anchorage earlier in the day, greeted each other on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and participated in a choreographed red carpet welcome before heading inside for extended discussions.
Hours of Negotiations Ahead
The summit, which started around 3:30 p.m. EST, was initially expected to run about four hours. However, Kremlin officials signaled Friday that the talks could extend up to seven hours, underscoring the complexity and breadth of the issues at hand.
Central to the agenda is the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has entered its fourth year with no end in sight. Trump has publicly stated that he will not grant territorial concessions to Russia as part of any peace agreement. Still, questions linger over whether Washington might pursue parallel economic deals, such as a potential minerals or mining agreement with Moscow — a move that could bolster Russia’s economy and indirectly aid its war effort.
Economic Figures Join the Delegations
In a notable sign of the summit’s scope, both nations included top economic officials in their delegations. From the U.S., Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Scott Lutnick — both experienced in high-level trade negotiations — traveled to Alaska. From Russia, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov joined the trip.
While these figures will not participate in the closed-door leader talks, their presence suggests that economic and trade matters may run alongside security and political negotiations.
Strategic Team Members in Attendance
The White House confirmed that several senior officials accompanied Trump, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Only Witkoff and Rubio are participating directly in the meeting, while Putin is joined by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov also traveled to Anchorage, though his role in the summit’s main session remains uncertain.
Security, Symbolism, and Diplomacy
The choice of Alaska as the venue carries both strategic and symbolic weight. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has deep Cold War ties and remains a critical U.S. defense outpost, located just a few miles from Russia at the Bering Strait. Hosting the meeting on a military base ensures tight security and minimizes public protests.
The leaders’ tarmac greeting was orchestrated for the cameras, with a handshake and formal welcome on a red carpet flanked by military personnel. While outwardly ceremonial, such gestures are closely analyzed for clues about tone and intent.
Potential Outcomes and Next Steps
Trump has signaled that he will call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders immediately after the meeting to update them on discussions. It remains unclear whether Trump and Putin will address the press afterward.
The summit’s outcome is unpredictable. NATO officials, including some defense ministers, have voiced skepticism over Putin’s willingness to negotiate peace in good faith. Washington’s decision to meet directly with Moscow — without Ukraine at the table — has raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies about possible decisions being made over their heads.
Still, the meeting represents a rare opportunity for direct U.S.-Russia dialogue at the highest level. Whether it results in a breakthrough, a stalemate, or heightened tensions will depend on the leaders’ ability to navigate one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical crises.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.