The world's eyes are on Anchorage, the Alaskan military base chosen for the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to discuss the war in Ukraine and other international economic policy issues.
The chronicle of the summit
1:03 a.m. – Trump: "The result is coming."
Trump spoke shortly after 1:00 PM Italian time: "I'll talk to NATO shortly, I'll talk to Zelensky. We'll try to resolve the outstanding issues, but we've made great progress with the Russian president, whom I want to call Vladimir." The result "is coming. We've agreed on many points, there's something to work on, but we'll get there. The chance of succeeding is very high." Trump continued, urging "us to be productive. I hope to meet you again as soon as possible," he said, turning to Putin, who in turn asked: "Next time in Moscow?" The US president replied: "We'll see, we'll see what we can do."
12:54 a.m. - Putin: "We've done a great job."
"The negotiations were conducted in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect," Putin began. "When I got off the plane, I told Trump, 'Welcome back, neighbor,'" he added, explaining the small distance between the two countries. The Russian president spoke of the past, in which "we fought together. But in four long years, there have been no meetings between Russia and America." Right now, "we've done a great job. We spoke with Trump with transparency and frankness, even in some telephone conversations. We've always maintained contacts." On the situation in Ukraine: "We have the same roots; what's happening is serious. We are certain that in order to reach an agreement, to be signed as soon as possible and in the long term, we must address the root causes of this conflict. Ukraine's security must be guaranteed thanks to the agreement we've reached." Putin continued: "European countries must understand our efforts; there must be no obstacles." Putin said: "We must turn the page. I thank President Trump for his efforts. The tone was correct and kind. We worked to achieve a result. Today's agreement could be a starting point, not just for Ukraine." And again: "In 2022, I tried to convince Biden that the situation could be resolved; we had to avoid conflict. Trump told me that if he had been there, the war wouldn't have broken out: he's right. If we continue on this path, we will end the war."
12:40 a.m. – The Russians: "A fantastic conversation."
The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin "was fantastic," said Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin's special envoy for economic cooperation, according to Bloomberg, citing Interfax.
00.35 – The applause is cancelled
The White House has removed Donald Trump's applause for Vladimir Putin from the video of the Russian president's arrival in Alaska. Footage shown live on all American television channels showed the tycoon applauding as the Kremlin leader advanced toward him on the red carpet, and Moscow immediately distributed a snapshot of the scene to Russian news agencies. But the clip published on the White House's official X, Instagram, and other social media accounts
Bianca, as well as the site, starts a few seconds later, with the handshake.
00.15 +++ Summit concluded +++
The Trump-Putin summit concluded after about three hours. A press conference is expected.
00.09 – The longest match
The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin has been underway for about two and a half hours, exceeding the one in Helsinki in 2018 and establishing itself, according to the Bloomberg agency, as the longest conversation between the two.
leader.
11:59 PM – Press conference announced
According to NBC, "the press conference will be held soon, with or without Putin."
11:30 PM – Lunch postponed
The working lunch between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with the delegations has not yet begun, a White House official told CNN. The meeting between the leaders and their senior advisers has been underway for about 90 minutes.
11:00 PM – Meeting of EU Ambassadors
While the summit in Alaska has been underway for over an hour, the news has arrived that the EU ambassadors will meet tomorrow morning at 9.30 to discuss the outcome of the confrontation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and to take stock of the situation.
EU-US trade relations and the tariff issue. This is according to European sources in Brussels.
10.20pm – Lavrov's statement
Responding to a media question at the start of the bilateral meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he expected the United States to lift some sanctions on Russia. "They will definitely lift some, that's for sure," Lavrov said. The Washington Post reported.
9.31pm - The meeting has begun
After the pleasantries, the practical part of the meeting between the two presidents began. Putin and Trump are each joined by two advisers in their first meeting. On the US side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are present. On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov. Behind them is a blue sign reading "Pursuing Peace."
9.20pm - The journey alone
Putin and Trump traveled aboard the Beast to the meeting location: they were without interpreters for about ten minutes.
9:15 PM – Putin does not respond
From a distance, a journalist asks Putin, "Will you stop killing civilians?" He gestures as if he doesn't hear.
9.13pm - The handshake
Trump and Putin shook hands on a podium dominated by the words "Alaska 2025," after walking down a long red carpet. American warplanes, including a B-2 bomber, flew overhead as the two leaders headed to the designated photo spot. The flyover was part of the ceremony to welcome the Russian president.
9:11 PM - Trump on the runway
Donald Trump exits Air Force One for his meeting with Vladimir Putin.
8:59 PM – Putin's arrival
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in Anchorage, TASS reports.
8:50 PM – Waiting for Putin
Donald Trump is meeting with the governor of Alaska and state senators while awaiting Vladimir Putin, who has not yet landed in Anchorage. US media reported, citing White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
8.45pm – A Russian delegation arrives
A Russian government plane has landed in Alaska, according to FlightRadar24. However, it appears not to be the plane carrying President Vladimir Putin.
8:28 PM – Trump has landed
Donald Trump has landed in Anchorage, where he will soon meet with Vladimir Putin.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)