ANCHORAGE, AK — (BrooklandNews.com) — Aug. 15, 2025 — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage for high-stakes talks on ending the war in Ukraine, marking the first time a U.S. president has hosted a Russian leader on American soil since the conflict began.
The leaders shook hands on the tarmac under clear skies before moving into a secure meeting room. Originally set to be a private, one-on-one discussion, the summit shifted to a three-on-three format. Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and top aide Yuri Ushakov.
Trump called the meeting a “serious effort” toward peace, hinting at possible U.S. security assurances for Ukraine that would stop short of a NATO membership. Putin arrived seeking to solidify Russia’s territorial gains and prevent NATO’s expansion eastward.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited, a decision criticized by Kyiv and several European capitals. Leaders there warned against any deal made without Ukraine’s direct participation.
Military flyovers by U.S. B-2 bombers and F-22 Raptors framed the event, reflecting both the gravity of the talks and Washington’s show of strength. The B-2 bombers were the aircraft used in the bombing against Iran’s nuclear sites in June.
A press conference is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, featuring both leaders. While the White House indicated this is the plan in case of unsuccessful talks, President Donald Trump will take questions independently.