On a damp Friday afternoon in Alaska, the leaders of two geopolitical rivals stepped off their planes and walked along a red carpet laid out across the steel-gray grounds of a military base.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived on U.S. soil for the first time in ten years, escorted by four American fighter jets. He approached President Trump, who awaited him at the carpet’s end. Trump appeared to enjoy the attention and spectacle surrounding the event.
Trump applauded his guest repeatedly before Putin reached his side, embracing the moment with evident enthusiasm.
This cordial reception did not address the critical question of whether the two leaders could negotiate an end to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine—a conflict that continued unabated as the meeting took place and notably excluded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the talks.
The event underscored the importance Trump placed on delivering a grand welcome to Putin, a figure largely isolated by much of the Western world due to the devastating invasion that has resulted in massive casualties.
During their walk, Trump gestured broadly toward the nearby stage and the gathering press, seemingly eager to highlight the display of American military power surrounding the meeting.
As they neared the stage, both leaders paused to watch a B-2 stealth bomber fly overhead multiple times. Known for its capability to carry precision strikes against hardened underground targets, the bomber’s presence served as a stark reminder of U.S. military strength amidst the formal proceedings.
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