In video : Trump-Putin summit begins with red carpet greeting
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday to begin a high stakes summit that Trump has said must show clear progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.
On the scene: Trump applauded as Putin walked toward him down a red carpet laid out for his arrival. After sharing a warm handshake, both climbed into the presidential limousine — nicknamed “the Beast” — and drove together to the meeting location.
No interpreters appeared to be present, so they likely conversed in English during the short journey.
The intrigue: The presidents were previously expected to meet one-on-one, followed by a broader meeting with their delegations, but the White House said minutes before the start that the opening meeting would now be three-on-three, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff joining Trump. That meeting is now underway.